[Grammar] please clear this sentence ambiguity for me

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gr3tdicipl3

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Hello fellow teaching friends:).
I sort of understand the below sentence. But I'm unsure of it's intended meaning or if it's grammatically incorrect:

'I not only want to see you because you're my wife.'

Does the addition of "not only" in the sentence can either mean I want to "see you and something else"?
OR I want to see you "because you're my wife and something else"?

thanks.
 

Raymott

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Hello fellow teaching friends:).
I sort of understand the below sentence. But I'm unsure of it's intended meaning or if it's grammatically incorrect:

'I not only want to see you because you're my wife.'

Does the addition of "not only" in the sentence can either mean I want to "see you and something else"?
OR I want to see you "because you're my wife and something else"?

thanks.

Using a sentence that way usually requires something to follow it.
'I not only want to see you because you're my wife, but also because I miss you."
If you only want to say the first part part, I'd advise:
"It's not just because you're my wife that I want to see you."
"I don't want to see you just because you're my wife."
 

gr3tdicipl3

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So, just to be sure, do you conclude that the original sentence is correct?
But it "usually" needs something to follow it which I understand. Other than that, I think you explain everything I asked. I appreciate for the clarity!
 

5jj

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So, just to be sure, do you conclude that the original sentence is correct?
It is not grammatically incorrect, but it is not natural. Raymott has told you what native speakers would be more likely to say.
 
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