Making Your English More Emphatic and Stylish
Imagine you say:
“She speaks English. She speaks French too.”
That sounds fine, but what if you want to sound more impressive, fluent, and expressive?
You can combine the ideas and say:
“She speaks not only English, but also French.”
This powerful structure — “not only … but also” — helps you emphasize two surprising, important, or impressive facts.
It makes your English sound more advanced, elegant, and engaging — perfect for writing, formal speaking, and adding style to everyday conversation!
Let’s see exactly how it works and how to use it correctly. 🌱✨
✏️ Detailed Explanation: How to use “Not only … but also”
Meaning:
Used to join two similar ideas and show that the second idea is equally (or even more) important, surprising, or impressive.
Adds emphasis to both ideas.
Basic structure:
Subject + verb + not only + idea 1 + but also + idea 2
Example:
She is not only smart but also hardworking.
✅ 1️⃣ Joining nouns
He bought not only a phone but also a laptop.
Meaning: He bought two things, and both are important.
✅ 2️⃣ Joining verbs
She not only sings but also dances.
Meaning: She can do two impressive actions.
✅ 3️⃣ Joining adjectives
The movie was not only funny but also educational.
Meaning: The movie had two positive qualities.
🌟 4️⃣ Advanced: Fronting (for formal style / writing)
Sometimes, we move “not only” to the beginning for extra emphasis.
When we do this, we change the word order (inversion).
Not only does she speak English, but she also speaks French.
Notice:
The auxiliary verb (does) comes before the subject (she) → this is called inversion.
Other examples:
Not only did he win the race, but he also broke the record.
Not only is she talented, but she is also humble.
✨ Important tips:
✔ Use “but also” — don’t forget it!
✔ Keep the two joined parts grammatically parallel (both nouns, both verbs, or both adjectives)
✔ Fronting with inversion is formal; use it in writing, speeches, or to sound impressive
🎯 Why learn it?
Because it helps you:
✅ Speak and write with more style and emphasis
✅ Combine ideas fluently
✅ Sound more natural and advanced
🌟 Conclusion:
Use:
✅ “Not only … but also” → to show two equally important, surprising, or impressive facts
✅ Keep both parts parallel (both nouns, both verbs, or both adjectives)
✅ Use inversion (“Not only did…”) for formal writing and strong emphasis
Mastering this makes your English sound more advanced, stylish, and fluent! 🌍✨
Here are real-life conversation examples showing how to use
🌟 “Not only … but also” — written naturally so you can see how English speakers really use them.
I’ve included regular usage and some with fronting/inversion (more formal or dramatic).
✅ 1) Joining nouns
Ella: What do you like about your new phone?
Tom: Well, it’s great because it’s not only fast but also lightweight.
Ella: That sounds perfect for travel!
✅ 2) Joining verbs
Jack: What can your sister do?
Sara: Oh, she’s amazing. She can not only paint beautifully but also play the violin!
Jack: Wow, that’s so impressive.
✅ 3) Joining adjectives
David: How was the concert?
Maya: It was not only exciting but also really inspiring.
David: Sounds like you had a great time.
✅ 4) Joining longer noun phrases
Nora: What did you order for lunch?
Ben: I got not only a big burger but also curly fries and a milkshake.
Nora: Lucky you! That’s a real treat.
✅ 5) With fronting/inversion (more formal / dramatic)
Leah: Did you hear about Sarah?
Mark: Yes! Not only did she get promoted, but she also got a huge bonus.
Leah: That’s fantastic news!
✅ 6) Describing events
Tim: How was your weekend?
Anna: Busy! I was not only working on my project but also helping my parents move.
Tim: Wow, no wonder you look tired!
✅ 7) Talking about someone’s skills
Chris: What makes Jake a good team leader?
Lily: He’s not only organized but also great at motivating everyone.
Chris: That’s exactly what we need.
✅ 8) With future plans
Amy: What are you planning for your vacation?
Ben: We want to not only visit the city but also explore the countryside.
Amy: That sounds like the perfect balance.
✅ 9) About movies
Sophie: Did you like the movie?
Ryan: Yes! It was not only funny but also very touching.
Sophie: That’s my favorite kind.
✅ 10) With fronting/inversion to add drama
Tom: Your trip sounded amazing!
Mia: Absolutely! Not only did we visit ancient temples, but we also met local artists.
Tom: That must have been unforgettable.
🌟 Tip for practice:
Try writing your own conversations about:
Your hobbies (not only swimming but also hiking)
Your weekend plans
Why you like your favorite food, movie, or city
Using “not only … but also” will make your English sound richer, clearer, and more natural! 🌱✨
📝 10 Multiple-Choice Quiz Questions
