Skip to main content

Not only but also...

We use not only X but also Y in formal contexts:

The war caused not only destruction and death but also generations of hatred between the two communities.

The car not only is economical but also feels good to drive.

This investigation is not only one that is continuing and worldwide but also one that we expect to continue for quite some time.

We can sometimes leave out also:

I identified with Denzel Washington not only as an actor but as a person.

To add emphasis, we can use not only at the beginning of a clause. When we do this, we invert the subject and the verb:

Not only was it raining all day at the wedding but also the band was late.

Not only will they paint the outside of the house but also the inside.

When there is no auxiliary verb or main verb be, we use do, does, did:

Not only did she forget my birthday, but she also didn’t even apologise for forgetting it.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to make GREAT Small Talk | English Conversation Practice

SMALL TALK IN ENGLISH: 1. Work 2. Life 3. Travel 4. Food 5. Weather WORK: 1. What do you do? 2. What motivated you to become.....? 3. Did you always want to be ....? 4. What was your a first-ever job? 5. What does a typical workday look like? 6. What do you love about your job? 7. Is this your dream job? Or are you working towards something else? 8. If money wasn't an issue, what job would you want? LIFE: 9. Do you hear about....? 10. Have you got much planned for the weekend? 11. What do you like to do in your spare time? 12. Have you read any good book lately? 13. Have you seen any  good movie? 14. So, do you have any kids? 15. So, are you from ........? 16. Where did you live before this? 17. Is (this city) different quite to (that city)? 18. Where did you grow up? TRAVEL; 19. So, are you planning on getting away for holidays? 20. Are you taking time off ove the Christmas? 21 I've just got back from a trip to Japan. Have you ever been? 22. You went to Peru last year, didn...