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‘Not only, but also’ and other forms of inversion

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'Not only, but also' is a powerful structure that you can use in both Writing and Speaking. This lesson reviews the grammar of inversion caused by this structure.

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Comments

  1. Dear Fiona,
    The following two sentences, which is better. or are they equally valid?
    “Not only did he study painting there, but he also studied sculpture with Charles Despiau.”
    “Not only did he study painting there, but also studied sculpture with Charles Despiau.”
    Many thanks.

    • Hi James

      The first one is correct, but the second one is not because you need to keep the pronoun.

      “Not only did he study painting there, but he also studied sculpture with Charles Despiau.”

      Best wishes
      Fiona

  2. Hello everyone,
    I’d like to ask you for help concerning one sentence that I have some problems with. The sentence is : Not only do I wish I had NEVER/EVER met you but also…
    The question is whether I should put ever or never in the second part meaning I wish I had never met you.
    Thanks for help, Agata

    • Hi Agata

      In this example you want to say: “I wish I had NEVER met you”, so keep the same word:

      e.g. Not only do I wish I had never met you, but I also wish I had never married you.

      Best wishes
      Fiona

  3. Really helpful and useful content. I was trying to search “not only,but also”, but this page turned out to be suitable for me to prepare IETLS. What good luck!

  4. “Not only have our ways of living changed, but people themselves have also been changed.”
    Dear Fiona!
    Is the above sentence correct if it is so please guide me about the rule.
    Thanks!

  5. Thanks Dear Fiona.
    “Under no circumstances should we leave the EU also Not for a moment do you think about that.”
    How to rephrase it in terms of not only….but also pattern?

    Thanks

    • Hi Masoud. Possibly “Not only should we never leave the EU but we shouldn’t even consider it”.