If you’re aiming to improve your formal writing or essay skills at B2 or C1 level, one grammar structure you need in your toolkit is “not only … but also.” This phrase is a powerful way to emphasise ideas, making your sentences more sophisticated and persuasive.
This structure is used to highlight two related points, showing that they are both true or important. It is commonly used in essays, reports, and academic writing.
Example:
“Engaging in debates with their peers will not only enhance students’ critical thinking but also improve their communication skills.”
Key Rules to Remember
1. Parallelism is Essential
The elements after “not only” and “but also” must be grammatically similar.
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✅ Correct: “She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.”
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❌ Incorrect: “She is not only intelligent but also works hard.”
Notice that in the correct version, both parts are adjectives (“intelligent” / “hardworking”).
2. Inversion When Starting a Sentence
If “not only” begins a sentence followed by a verb, you need to invert the subject and auxiliary verb:
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✅ “Not only does the program save time, but it also improves accuracy.”
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❌ “Not only the program saves time, but it also improves accuracy.”
This inversion makes your writing more formal and polished, which is exactly what you want for B2/C1 essays.
3. Flexibility in Placement
You don’t always need to start a sentence with it. You can use it in the middle to connect ideas smoothly:
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✅ “The project will improve efficiency, not only reducing costs but also boosting employee morale.”
10+ Practical Examples
Here are some examples that show how to use this structure in different contexts:
1. Education
“Students who read regularly not only improve their vocabulary but also develop critical thinking skills.”
2. Technology
“New software updates not only fix bugs but also enhance overall user experience.”
3. Environment
“Planting more trees not only reduces carbon dioxide but also improves urban air quality.”
4. Health
“Regular exercise not only strengthens muscles but also boosts mental health.”
5. Travel
“Visiting historical cities not only teaches culture but also opens your mind.”
6. Work / Career
“Attending professional workshops not only expands knowledge but also increases networking opportunities.”
7. Social Issues
“Community volunteering not only helps those in need but also builds a sense of solidarity.”
8. Science / Research
“New experiments not only confirm previous results but also reveal unexpected patterns.”
9. Daily Life
“Cooking at home not only saves money but also promotes healthier eating habits.”
Now It’s Your Turn to Practise! ✍️
Try completing these sentences with your own ideas — remember to keep the parallel structure:
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“Learning a new language not only … but also …”
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“Online courses not only … but also …”
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“Volunteering abroad not only … but also …”
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“Using public transport not only … but also …”
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“Playing team sports not only … but also …”
Examples Starting with “Not Only …” (with inversion)
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“Not only does reading daily improve your vocabulary, but it also ….”
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“Not only can travelling abroad teach you about other cultures, but it can also …”
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“Not only will joining a volunteering group help you make friends, but it will also ..
Final Tips
- Make a point of starting to use this structure as soon as possible. For example, in the next writing assignment you get.
- Be careful not to overuse it in the same piece of writing; once is enough to make an impact.
More structures that can elevate your writing will be featured in future blog posts.
