Comma Between Correlative Conjunction Sets

Correlative pairs of conjunctions include words like neither...nor, not…but, and both…and. For this punctuation rule, we can also consider sets of words like not only…but also. When pairs or sets of conjunctions are being used, they do not need to be separated from each other by a comma. However, a comma may be used between the conjunctions to accommodate another grammar rule (see Exceptions).

Either the blue shirt, or the red sweater will look good with your jeans.

Either…or is a correlative pair of conjunctions. The comma should be removed from this sentence so the conjunctions are not separated from each other.

I can’t decide whether to have pizza, or a cheeseburger.

Exception: If two commas are around a non-restrictive clause, they may be used between the correlative pairs of conjunctions.

Neither the job as a cashier, which only paid minimum wage, nor the washroom attendant’s job interested the woman with two PhDs.