In grammar, correlatives are words that are separated in a sentence but function together to perform a single function.
In English, examples are both—and, either—or, neither—nor, the—the ("the more the better"), so—that ("it ate so much food that it burst"), and if—then. In the Romance languages, the demonstrativepro-forms function as correlatives with the relative pro-forms, as autant—que in French; in English, demonstratives are not used in such constructions, which depend on the relative only: "I saw what you did", rather than *"I saw that, what you did".
correlative — [kə rel′ə tiv] adj. [ML correlativus] 1. having or involving a mutual relationship; reciprocally dependent [correlative rights and duties] 2. Gram. expressing mutual relation and used in pairs [In “neither Tom nor I can go,” “neither” and “nor”… … English World dictionary
Correlative — Cor*rel a*tive (k?r r?l ? t?v), a. [Cf. F. corr[ e]latif.] Having or indicating a reciprocal relation. [1913 Webster] Father and son, prince and subject, stranger and citizen, are correlative terms. Hume. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
correlative — UK US /kəˈrelətɪv/ adjective [before noun] ► used to describe two or more things that are related to each other: »Each party to the contract has correlative rights and duties … Financial and business terms
correlative — ► ADJECTIVE 1) having a correlation. 2) (of words such as neither and nor) corresponding to each other and regularly used together. ► NOUN ▪ a correlative word or concept. ORIGIN Latin correlativus, from relativus having reference or relation … English terms dictionary
Correlative — Cor*rel a*tive, n. 1. One who, or that which, stands in a reciprocal relation, or is correlated, to some other person or thing. Locke. [1913 Webster] Spiritual things and spiritual men are correlatives. Spelman. [1913 Webster] 2. (Gram.) The… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
correlative — adj corresponding, complementary, complemental, *reciprocal, convertible … New Dictionary of Synonyms
correlative — is each of a pair of words used to link corresponding parts of a sentence, e.g. both…and…, either…or…, neither…nor…. Correlatives that involve a subordinate clause include hardly…when… and if…then… … Modern English usage
corrélative — ● corrélatif, corrélative adjectif (latin médiéval correlativus) Se dit de choses ou de termes qui sont en corrélation, qui sont unis par une dépendance logique : L effet et la cause sont corrélatifs. Se dit de deux termes qui sont en relation de … Encyclopédie Universelle
correlative — 1 adjective 1 two or more facts, ideas etc that are correlative are closely related or dependent on each other: correlative theories and beliefs | Profits were directly correlative to the popularity of the product. 2 technical two words that are… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
correlative — I UK [kəˈrelətɪv] / US adjective 1) formal correlative rights or obligations are connected with or depend on each other 2) linguistics two words that are correlative are often used together but not usually used next to each other. For example,… … English dictionary
