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  1. #1
    dihen is offline Member
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    Default "not only that..."?

    Is this incorrect?

    "Not only that I [verb]..., but also...."

  2. #2
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: "not only that..."?

    Not only did/do/have/will I...

  3. #3
    dihen is offline Member
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: "not only that..."?

    Maybe "It's not only that I [verb]... but also...." would be correct?

  4. #4
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: "not only that..."?

    That's possible:
    It's not only that I feel disappointed, but also that many others do that leads me to ask for your resignation.

  5. #5
    dihen is offline Member
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: "not only that..."?

    Is this grammatical correct, but unnatural?
    `
    It's not only [that he can sing] but also [that he can dance.]

  6. #6
    Philly is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: "not only that..."?

    Quote Originally Posted by dihen View Post
    Is this grammatical correct, but unnatural?
    `
    It's not only [that he can sing] but also [that he can dance.]
    The structure is grammatical, but your choice of words (without further context) leads me to believe that you might not understand the usage of the structure.
    .
    I'd say this structure is normally used to give a justification or explanation for doing something.
    .
    So, on hearing your sentence, I'd expect that you want to justify your selection of him for the lead in a musical performance, for example. Your sentence cannot be used to simply state the fact that he can sing and dance.
    .

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