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English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 45 minutes

Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and

Grammar

CCSS L.9-10.1.AEngland: SAT Standard English ConventionsEngland: ACT EnglishEngland: GCSE English Language (AO6)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Correlative conjunctions and interjections; Parallel structure

Leads to: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like

Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Correlative conjunctions and interjections; Parallel structure). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the word that completes the pair. I don't know ___ to laugh or cry. (both / whether / neither / either) → whetherPrompt: Correlative conjunctions come in pairs.
  2. Which word is the interjection? Wow, that rollercoaster is fast! (rollercoaster / that / fast / Wow) → WowPrompt: An interjection is a word that shows a sudden feeling.
  3. Choose the option that keeps the sentence parallel. The new policy aims to reduce waste, cut costs and ___. (improve safety / improving safety / to the improvement of safety / safety will improve) → improve safetyPrompt: Look at the other items in the list or pair. What grammatical form are they?

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also the dune grass was planted. • The volunteers cleaned not only the beach but also planted dune grass. • The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass. • Not only the volunteers cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
  • Step 1: Correlative conjunctions must be followed by grammatically parallel elements.
  • Step 2: Each correlative is followed by a verb phrase: cleaned… / planted…
  • Step 3: So the answer is: The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
  • Answer: The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is this sentence correct? She enjoys both painting and to sculpt. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
  2. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The new app is not only cheaper but also faster. • The new app is not only cheaper but also it is faster. • The new app is not only cheaper, also faster. • The new app not only is cheaper but also faster. (The new app is not only cheaper but also faster. / The new app is not only cheaper but also it is faster. / The new app is not only cheaper, also faster. / The new app not only is cheaper but also faster.) → The new app is not only cheaper but also faster.Prompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • You can either take the bus or walk. • You can either take the bus or you can walking. • You can either take the bus or walking. • Either you can take the bus or walk. (You can either take the bus or walk. / You can either take the bus or you can walking. / You can either take the bus or walking. / Either you can take the bus or walk.) → You can either take the bus or walk.Prompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
  2. Is this sentence correct? The volunteers cleaned not only the beach but also planted dune grass. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).

Watch out for

  • Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
  • Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Correlative conjunctions and interjections.
  • Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and

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Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this sentence correct? The speech was both moving and informative.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The speech was both moving and informative. • The speech was both moving and it informed us. • The speech both was moving and informative. • The speech was both moving and to inform.

    • A. The speech was both moving and informative.
    • B. The speech was both moving and it informed us.
    • C. The speech both was moving and informative.
    • D. The speech was both moving and to inform.

  3. Question 3

    Is this sentence correct? You can either take the bus or walk.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • You can either take the bus or walk. • You can either take the bus or you can walking. • Either you can take the bus or walk. • You can either take the bus or walking.

    • A. You can either take the bus or walk.
    • B. You can either take the bus or you can walking.
    • C. Either you can take the bus or walk.
    • D. You can either take the bus or walking.

  5. Question 5

    Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • She both enjoys painting and sculpts. • She enjoys both to paint and sculpting. • She enjoys both painting and to sculpt. • She enjoys both painting and sculpting.

    • A. She both enjoys painting and sculpts.
    • B. She enjoys both to paint and sculpting.
    • C. She enjoys both painting and to sculpt.
    • D. She enjoys both painting and sculpting.

  6. Question 6

    Is this sentence correct? We will meet either at the library or the café is fine.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  7. Question 7

    Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • We will meet either at the library or at the café. • We will meet either at the library or the café is fine. • Either we will meet at the library or the café. • We will either meet at the library or the café.

    • A. We will meet either at the library or at the cafĂ©.
    • B. We will meet either at the library or the cafĂ© is fine.
    • C. Either we will meet at the library or the cafĂ©.
    • D. We will either meet at the library or the cafĂ©.

  8. Question 8

    Is this sentence correct? The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also the dune grass was planted.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

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Answer key: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and

  1. 1. A. yes, it is correct

  2. 2. A. The speech was both moving and informative.

  3. 3. A. yes, it is correct

  4. 4. A. You can either take the bus or walk.

  5. 5. D. She enjoys both painting and sculpting.

  6. 6. B. no, it is not correct

  7. 7. A. We will meet either at the library or at the café.

  8. 8. B. no, it is not correct