Not Only... But Also: Grammar Rules and Examples

The correlative conjunction not only… but also is used to emphasize that two related qualities, actions, or ideas apply to the same person or thing. To use this structure naturally and correctly, both parts of the sentence must follow the same grammatical pattern, and special word order is required when the sentence begins with not only.

The Rule of Parallel Structure

To keep a sentence clear and balanced, not only and but also must introduce the same type of grammatical element.

With Nouns

She is not only a novelist but also a poet.
They need not only food but also shelter.

With Verbs

He not only studies hard but also works well.
Children’s television not only entertains but also teaches.

With Adverbs

He speaks Spanish not only naturally but also fluently.

Using “Not Only” at the Beginning (Inversion)

For stronger emphasis, not only can be placed at the beginning of a sentence. In this case, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject.

He is not only handsome but also intelligent.
Not only is he handsome, but he is also intelligent.

They not only took his money but also attacked him.
Not only did they take his money, but they also attacked him.

More Natural Examples

She not only wrote the text but also selected the illustrations.
Shakespeare was not only a writer but also an actor.
The system was not only complicated but also ineffective.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect: Mark works not only careless but also hasty.
Correct: Mark works not only carelessly but also hastily.
Mixing different grammatical forms, such as using an adjective with an adverb or a noun with a verb.

Last Updated on January 23, 2026

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Nhat Nhat

English Teacher | IELTS Instructor | English Learning Content Creator at ESLTeacher.org

Nhat Nhat is an English teacher and IELTS instructor specializing in grammar, academic writing, and English learning resources. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), an IELTS 8.0 certificate, and TESOL / TEFL teaching certifications. With over 9 years of teaching experience, he creates practical lessons and educational content to help learners improve their English skills and exam performance.