Not only but also

[AnaEng]

I have written two sentences using grammar not only but also. Are the words in bold correct or make the sentences incorrect?

1-He not only studies hard but he also participates in class.
2-The course is not only informative but it is also enjoyable.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have written two sentences using grammar the phrase "not only but also". Are the words in bold correct or do they make the sentences incorrect?

1. He not only studies hard but he also participates in class.
2. The course is not only informative but it is also enjoyable.

Both sentences are OK with the words in bold. Note, though, that many people start that sort of sentence with "Not only". Why don't you give that a try? Keep the situations the same but start with "Not only".

 

[AnaEng]

Both sentences are OK with the words in bold. Note, though, that many people start that sort of sentence with "Not only". Why don't you give that a try? Keep the situations the same but start with "Not only".

Thank you for your help. Are two and four correct too? If yes, is there a difference between them?

1.He not only studies hard but he also participates in class.
2.He not only studies hard but also participates in class.
3.The course is not only informative but it is also enjoyable.
4.The course is not only informative but also enjoyable.

To my knowledge using that phrase in the beginning requires inversion.

1. Not only does he study hard but he also participates in class.
2.Not only is the course informative but also enjoyable.

 

[jutfrank]

In my judgement at least, your original sentences are better without the bold phrases. When inverted, however, the sentences are better with the bold phrases.

 

[emsr2d2]

Thank you for your help. Are two and four correct too? If yes, is there a difference between them?

They're both correct. There's no difference in meaning.

1. space here He not only studies hard but he also participates in class.
2. space here He not only studies hard but also participates in class.
3. space here The course is not only informative but it is also enjoyable.
4. space here The course is not only informative but also enjoyable.

All four are correct. However, please remember to put a space after every full stop.

To my knowledge, using that phrase in at the beginning requires inversion.

1. Not only does he study hard but he also participates in class.
2. space here Not only is the course informative but also enjoyable.

They're both correct. I've been thinking a little more about this and I've realised that I generally omit "but also".

Not only do I like tennis, I like all racquet sports!

 

[AnaEng]

In my judgement at least, your original sentences are better without the bold phrases. When inverted, however, the sentences are better with the bold phrases.

Do you mean I should keep the subject and verb in the second clause?

Thanks. Do you mind if you go over the following sentences please?

1. Not only did he win the race, but he also received a gift.
2. Not only is he handsome, but he is also family-oriented.
3. Not only does she skip school ,but she also cheats.

In four, I have combined the helping verb "does" and the be verb "is".

4. Not only does she smoke, but she is also high.

Thanks again.

 

[jutfrank]

Below is how I would teach you. I think emsr2d2 might teach you a slightly different way so bear that in mind.

When the sentence is not inverted, use 'but also' without repeating the subject and auxiliary, like this:

He not only studies hard but also participates well in class.

When the sentence is inverted, use a comma instead of 'but', repeat the subject and auxiliary, and use only 'also', like this:

Not only does he study hard, he also participates well in class.

 

[AnaEng]

Below is how I would teach you. I think emsr2d2 might teach you a slightly different way so bear that in mind.

When the sentence is not inverted, use 'but also' without repeating the subject and auxiliary, like this:

He not only studies hard but also participates well in class.

When the sentence is inverted, use a comma instead of 'but', repeat the subject and auxiliary, and use only 'also', like this:

Not only does he study hard, he also participates well in class.

Thank you. I didn't know that "but" can be omitted and replaced with comma. I think we can also use but in the second clause, can't we?

1. Not only did she forget my birthday, but she also didn’t even apologise for forgetting it.
2. Not only will they paint the outside of the house but also the inside.

 

[jutfrank]

Refer to post #7, where I made it very clear how I would teach you to do it.