not only... but also joining two subjects

[Jasmine_Jafari]

Hi,
When we join two subjects by using not only ... but also does the verb agree with the second subject or it is like both ... and? I couldn't find it in grammar books.
Not only Mary but also Jack .....
Thanks in advance

 

[tzfujimino]

Hello, Jasmine.:-D

http://m.uts.edu.au/current-student...help-resources/grammar/subject-verb-agreement

I hope the link will be of some help to you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think it is correct to say 'Not only he but also I am...', but I am not a teacher.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think it is also possible to say 'Not only is he a teacher, but so am I', but I am not a teacher.

 

[tzfujimino]

It sounds odd to me, Matthew.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Not only is he a teacher" would normally be followed by an example of something else that he is, not what someone else is.

Not only is he a teacher, but he is a scout leader as well.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The construction 'Not only... but (also)...' is not natural when referring to two separate subjects.
Is it correct?

 

[tzfujimino]

Well, no, I don't think so.
In your last example, the "Not only is he a teacher, but ..." part is equal to "He is not only a teacher but ..."
Do you understand what I'm trying to say?

 

[Matthew Wai]

In your last example, the "Not only is he a teacher, but ..." part is equal to "He is not only a teacher but ..."

I, as well as the OP, was talking about two separate subjects, but there is only one subject above.

 

[tzfujimino]

Well, then it might be "Not only is he a teacher, but I am [a teacher] too/as well."
However, it still sounds odd to me. It's probably because I interpret the "Not only is he a ..." part as "He is not only a ..."