“Not only but also” – usage and examples. Not only…but also is a correlative conjunction in English grammar. In this lesson, you will learn the use of “Not only…but also” with example sentences in English.
Table of Contents
Not Only But Also | Rules
Used in formal contexts
- To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream. Not only plan, but also believe.
“Also” sometimes can be left out.
- Home is not only where it is, but who they are.
In case there’s is no main verb or auxiliary verb, we can use do, does, did.
- Not only did you forget my birthday, but you also didn’t even apologize for forgetting it!
If we want to emphasis on ST, we can put “not only” at the beginning of the clause.
- Not only are mothers not paid but also most of their boring or difficult work is unnoticed. (invert the subject and the verb)
Not Only But Also | Structure
Subject + Verb + not only + Adverb + but also + Adverb
- She speaks English not only naturally but also fluently.
- Mark works not only carefully but also effectively.
Subject + Verb + not only + Adjective + but also + Adjective
- He is not only kind but also handsome.
- He is not only short but also fat.
Subject + not only + Verb + but also + Verb
- She not only study hard but also plays hard.
- They not only speak Korean but also speak Chinese.
Subject + Verb + not only + Noun + but also + Noun
- I like not only ice cream but also yogurt.
- They visited not only Singapore but also India.
Not Only But Also | Image
Mohammad
Saturday 23rd of July 2022
Is it incorrect if I put "not only" at the beginning and not invert the sentence?
pamith
Friday 19th of March 2021
I love english
Joe
Monday 23rd of March 2020
Is this sentence above correct? She not only study hard but also plays hard. Shouldn't it read as follows? She not only studIES hard but also plays hard.
Lisa
Wednesday 13th of January 2021
Correct Joe. Studies
Thawun lwar
Friday 28th of February 2020
John is my pupil. Sam is my pupil. Not only John but also Sam is my pupil*/ pupils*. Which one is correct? Please explain this to me.
atef
Wednesday 27th of March 2019
Mark works not only careless but also hasty. In this sentence adverbs should be used because they modify the verb 'works'. the correct from of the sentence is : Mark works not only carelessly but also hastily. Thanks
Chetana
Monday 19th of August 2019
Can we write like the following? Not only does Mark work careless but also hastily.