What is the main function of correlative conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions serve the primary function of joining elements of equal importance within a sentence. This means they connect words, phrases, or clauses that are equivalent in structure, ensuring that the ideas presented carry the same weight. Common examples of correlative conjunctions include pairs such as "neither...nor," "either...or," and "both...and."

Using correlative conjunctions properly helps create a balanced sentence structure and clarifies the relationship between the connected ideas. For instance, when you say, "Both the cat and the dog are playing," "both...and" links the two subjects, indicating they share the same action and importance in the context of the sentence.

While the other options mention functions such as adding elaboration or comparison, they do not accurately reflect the specific role of correlative conjunctions, which is centered on coordination and equality between the elements they connect. Additionally, separating independent clauses is typically the role of coordinating conjunctions or punctuation rather than correlative conjunctions.