+346.+ Certain co-ordinate conjunctions are used in pairs, such as
_both, and_; _either, or_; _neither, nor_; _whether, or_. These pairs
are called correlatives. The first word in the pair, as, _both_,
_either_, _neither_, or _whether_, is used as an assistant conjunction
helping the other to do the connecting. These are used in such sentences
as:
I have _both_ seen _and_ heard him.
They will join us _either_ in April _or_ in May.
Labor has received _neither_ liberty _nor_ justice.
_Whether_ to go forward _or_ to retreat was the problem.
Note that _nor_ is always the proper correlative to use with _neither_
and also with the negatives _not_ and _never_ when they apply to what
follows as well as to what precedes. For example:
There are thousands in this country who can _neither_ read _nor_
write.
_Neither_ you _nor_ I can foretell the future.
He will _not_ write _nor_ should you.
Capital punishment is _nothing_ more _nor_ less than legalized murder.
We shall _never_ lower our colors _nor_ retreat.
_Or_ is always used with the correlative _either_. For example:
We will _either_ come _or_ write you.
_Either_ he was mistaken _or_ he deliberately lied.