What is parallel structure here?

The two framed parts should match in form: not only did she make the shot, but she also banked it. Matched frames make sentences that read like they were built on purpose.

Why do writers love these pairs?

They organize choices and contrasts in advance: the reader hears either and braces for or. It is sentence-level suspense, cheap and legal.

6th grade correlative conjunctions

6th grade correlative conjunctions worksheets

Sixth graders use correlative pairs in their own sentences and keep the two halves grammatically parallel, the polish move that marks strong writing.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.5.1.e.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Choose the word that completes the conjunction pair, and write it on the line.

Neither the ref (and / nor / or) the coaches saw where the ball landed.
Fixed: Neither the ref nor the coaches saw where the ball landed.
The report needs both a title (and / nor / or) a list of sources.
Not only did the seeds sprout, but they (also / either / neither) outgrew their labels.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 6th grade sheet

6th grade sheets draw from 40 sentences, 8 to a page. 5th and 6th grade print from the same 40 sentences. The teaching notes below are written for this grade.

A few of the sentences:

Either take an umbrella or wear the raincoat with the hood.
Both the forecast and Grandpa’s knee agree: snow tonight.
Both the kite and the string survived the oak tree, barely.

Fix it. Choose the word that completes the conjunction pair, and write it on the line. 8 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Introduce the parallel check: whatever follows the first half should match the shape of what follows the second. 'Either we practice or we lose' balances; noticing the balance is sixth-grade craft.

Watch for: These conjunctions are married pairs, not free agents: either/nor and neither/or are the classic mismatches, and the first word always chooses the second. Neither/nor already carries the negative, so the verb stays positive: 'neither rain nor mud STOPPED the game,' with no extra not.

Common questions about 6th grade correlative conjunctions

What is parallel structure here?: The two framed parts should match in form: not only did she make the shot, but she also banked it. Matched frames make sentences that read like they were built on purpose.
Why do writers love these pairs?: They organize choices and contrasts in advance: the reader hears either and braces for or. It is sentence-level suspense, cheap and legal.

Related worksheets

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Aligned to Common Core L.5.1.e. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated September 2026.

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