Both...And/Both...And...As well as

These conjunctions connect two or more words performing, describing, or modifying the same thing. Make sure to use parallel structure.

Both Lewis and Chris are enjoying Paris.

Both Lewis and Chris, as well as David, are enjoying Paris.

The lecture was both entertaining and informative.

The lecture was both entertaining and informative, as well as required.

Lucy and Dan, as well as Julian, are going to the beach.

Lucy, Dan, and Julian are going to the beach.

As/As if

“As” can sometimes mean “because.”

As it was raining, we didn’t take our afternoon walk

But it can also be used when two actions occur at the same time.

Emily fell as she was trying to climb a tree.

And it can be used to describe a duration of time.

As the class went on, I felt more and more tired.

“As if” is used to describe how somebody or thing sounds, feels, or looks.

It looks as if we are not going to finish on time.

Mario sounded as if he wasn’t confident about the plane.

She felt as if she had never worked a day in her life.

By/By the time/Until

These conjunctions are used to describe a time when something should be ending.

I should be finished with this work by Thursday.

By the time I got there, the line was already around the block.

She said she wouldn’t know anything until the official report.

Not...but/Not only...but also“Not...but” is used to show a preference of one thing over another. It must keep the idiomatic form.

I liked not the colors but the lines of the painting.

(not I liked not the colors but also the lines...)

I used not the computer but my own notes for the project.

“Not only...but also,” however, is used when two things are compared.

I liked not only the colors but also the lines of the painting.

(not I like not only the colors but the lines.)

I used not only the computer but also my own notes for the project.

(not I used not the computer but also my notes...)

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