Not Only / But Also
- She is not only rich but also famous. (Here we use two adjectives – rich, famous – after ‘not only’ and ‘but also’.)
- He visited not only France but also Switzerland. (Here we use two nouns – France and Switzerland – after ‘not only’ and ‘but also’.)
- He not only insulted her in front of her friends but also threatened to beat her up. (Here we use two verbs – insulted, threatened – after ‘not only’ and ‘but also’.)
- He was not only upset but also angry.
- The place was not only good, but also safe.
- She is not only a good wife, but also a good mother.
- She speaks not only English, but also French.
Mid position with verb is also possible.
- She not only speaks English, but also French.
For emphasis not only can be moved to the beginning of a clause. Note that we use the inverted word order ‘not only + auxiliary verb + subject’. But can be left out in some cases.
- She was not only sad, but also angry.
- Not only was she sad; she was also angry.
- They not only need food, but also shelter.
- Not only do they need food, but they also need shelter.
- Not only do they need food; they also need shelter.
When you use not only — but also in a sentence, you have to ensure that not only and but also go immediately before the words or expressions that they modify.
- She is not only intelligent but also beautiful.
When using a correlative conjunction, both clauses have to be parallel. That means you have to use them before two nouns, two adjectives, two verbs etc. Study the following examples.
- They need not only food but also shelter. (Here we use nouns (food and shelter) after not only and but also.)
- She is not only rich but also generous. (Here we use adjectives (rich and generous) after not only and but also.)
- My uncle not only brought me to the city but also found a good job for me. (Here we use verb phrases after not only and but also.)
Not only can go at the beginning of a sentence. In this case, it is followed by auxiliary verb + subject. If there is no other auxiliary verb, we use do. But can be left out in this case.
- Not only did my uncle bring me to the city, but he also found a good job for me.
OR
- Not only did my uncle bring me to the city; he also found a good job for me.
- Not only is Jack working at a pub, but he is also doing his graduation.
OR
- Not only is Jack working at a pub; he is also doing his graduation.
- Not only is Susan going to England, but she is also going to France.
OR
- Not only is Susan going to England; she is also going to France.
