Inversion with 'Not only... but also'
Invert the first clause after 'Not only' to transform two simple facts into one powerful, persuasive statement.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Start with 'Not only' for high-impact emphasis on two related points.
- Invert the first clause like a question (Auxiliary + Subject).
- Keep the second clause in standard subject-verb order after 'but'.
- Use it in formal writing, interviews, or dramatic storytelling.
Quick Reference
| Tense/Verb | Inversion Structure | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Not only + do/does + S + verb | Not only does he cook, but he also cleans. |
| Past Simple | Not only + did + S + verb | Not only did they arrive late, but they forgot the gift. |
| Verb 'To Be' | Not only + is/are/was + S | Not only was the hotel expensive, but it was dirty. |
| Present Perfect | Not only + have/has + S + p.p. | Not only has she traveled, but she has lived abroad. |
| Modal Verbs | Not only + modal + S + verb | Not only can he sing, but he can also play guitar. |
| Future (Will) | Not only + will + S + verb | Not only will we win, but we will set a record. |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 8Not only is he a great doctor, but he is also a talented musician.
No solo es un gran médico, sino que también es un músico talentoso.
Not only did they lose the game, but they also lost their best player to injury.
No solo perdieron el juego, sino que también perdieron a su mejor jugador por lesión.
Not only does the new software save time, but it also reduces human error significantly.
El nuevo software no solo ahorra tiempo, sino que también reduce significativamente el error humano.
The 'Question' Trick
If you are stuck, imagine you are asking a question. 'Does he sing?' becomes 'Not only DOES HE sing...' It is the same word order!
The Double Inversion Trap
Only flip the first part. If you flip the second part, you'll sound like you're glitching. 'Not only did I go, but also did I see' is a big no-no.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Start with 'Not only' for high-impact emphasis on two related points.
- Invert the first clause like a question (Auxiliary + Subject).
- Keep the second clause in standard subject-verb order after 'but'.
- Use it in formal writing, interviews, or dramatic storytelling.
Overview
Ever feel like your English is a bit too... flat? You have the facts. You have the vocabulary. But you want that extra punch. That dramatic flair. This is where inversion comes in. Specifically, the not only... but also structure. It is a powerhouse for adding emphasis. It tells your listener that the second point is even more impressive than the first. Think of it as a 'buy one, get one free' deal for your sentences. You are not just giving information. You are highlighting it. It is the difference between saying 'I am tired and hungry' and 'Not only am I tired, but I am also starving.' One is a statement. The other is a performance. Yes, even native speakers use this to sound more persuasive or dramatic. It is like turning up the volume on your most important points.
How This Grammar Works
Normally, English sentences follow a strict Subject-Verb order. 'I like pizza.' Simple, right? Inversion flips this script. When we start a sentence with a negative or restrictive phrase like Not only, the sentence structure changes. It starts behaving like a question. You swap the positions of the subject and the auxiliary verb. It feels a bit like a grammar dance move. You take a step back with the subject and a step forward with the verb. This only happens in the first part of the sentence. The second part, after but, stays completely normal. It is a bit like a grammar traffic light. The first half is a flashing yellow light (caution, things are moving!), and the second half is a steady green light (back to normal).
Formation Pattern
- 1Creating these sentences is a three-step process. Do not rush it, or the sentence might collapse!
- 2Start with the phrase
Not onlyat the very beginning. - 3Add your auxiliary verb (like
do,does,did,is,are,have, orcan). - 4Place your subject immediately after that auxiliary verb.
- 5Add the main verb and the rest of the first idea.
- 6Finish with
but (also)followed by a standard sentence structure. - 7Example: 'She plays the piano. She also sings.'
- 8Step 1:
Not only... - 9Step 2:
Not only does... - 10Step 3:
Not only does she... - 11Step 4:
Not only does she play the piano... - 12Step 5:
Not only does she play the piano, but she also sings.
When To Use It
This is not for your everyday grocery list. Use it when you want to impress. It is perfect for job interviews. 'Not only did I manage the team, but I also increased sales by 20%.' It sounds professional and confident. Use it in formal writing or essays to connect ideas strongly. It is also great for storytelling or complaining. 'Not only was the flight delayed, but they also lost my luggage!' It adds that 'can you believe it?' energy to your speech. Think of it as a tool for high-stakes communication. When you need people to lean in and listen, this is your go-to move.
When Not To Use It
Avoid this in very casual settings. If you are ordering a burger, do not say, 'Not only do I want fries, but I also want a shake.' You will sound like a Victorian villain or a very confused textbook. It is too heavy for quick texts to friends. 'Not only are we late, but it is also raining' is fine for a dramatic call, but maybe too much for a WhatsApp message. Also, do not over-use it. If every sentence is inverted, nothing stands out. It is like using too much hot sauce. A little bit adds flavor, but too much burns the tongue.
Common Mistakes
The biggest trap is forgetting the auxiliary verb. People often say, 'Not only she plays...' This is a classic error. Remember, it must look like a question: 'Not only does she play...' Another common mistake is 'double inversion.' You do not need to flip the second half of the sentence. 'Not only did he leave, but also did he forget his keys' is wrong. Keep the second half simple. Finally, watch your tenses. If the first part is in the past (did), the second part usually should be too. It is a balance act. If you lean too far one way, the whole thing feels off.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
How is this different from Both... and? Well, Both... and is neutral. 'I like both tea and coffee.' It is just a list. Not only... but also adds a hierarchy. The second item is usually the 'bonus' or the more surprising fact. It is also different from As well as. 'I like tea as well as coffee' is very calm. Inversion is the loud, energetic cousin of these structures. It demands attention. While In addition to is great for academic reports, Not only is better for persuasive speeches or emotional storytelling.
Quick FAQ
Q. Do I always need the word also?
A. No! You can just use but. 'Not only did he win, but he broke the record.'
Q. Can I use this with can or will?
A. Absolutely. 'Not only can she dance, but she can also code.'
Q. Is the comma mandatory?
A. In formal writing, yes, use a comma before but. In casual writing, people often skip it, but keep it to be safe!
Q. Does it work with the verb to be?
A. Yes. 'Not only was the movie long, but it was also boring.' Just move was or were to the front.
Reference Table
| Tense/Verb | Inversion Structure | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Not only + do/does + S + verb | Not only does he cook, but he also cleans. |
| Past Simple | Not only + did + S + verb | Not only did they arrive late, but they forgot the gift. |
| Verb 'To Be' | Not only + is/are/was + S | Not only was the hotel expensive, but it was dirty. |
| Present Perfect | Not only + have/has + S + p.p. | Not only has she traveled, but she has lived abroad. |
| Modal Verbs | Not only + modal + S + verb | Not only can he sing, but he can also play guitar. |
| Future (Will) | Not only + will + S + verb | Not only will we win, but we will set a record. |
The 'Question' Trick
If you are stuck, imagine you are asking a question. 'Does he sing?' becomes 'Not only DOES HE sing...' It is the same word order!
The Double Inversion Trap
Only flip the first part. If you flip the second part, you'll sound like you're glitching. 'Not only did I go, but also did I see' is a big no-no.
Dropping 'Also'
You can omit 'also' or move it. '...but he sings too' or '...but he sings as well' are perfectly natural alternatives.
The 'Over-Formal' Risk
Using this while texting is like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. Save it for moments when you want to sound sophisticated or very persuasive.
Beispiele
8Not only is he a great doctor, but he is also a talented musician.
Focus: is he
No solo es un gran médico, sino que también es un músico talentoso.
Notice how 'is' comes before 'he' in the first part.
Not only did they lose the game, but they also lost their best player to injury.
Focus: did they lose
No solo perdieron el juego, sino que también perdieron a su mejor jugador por lesión.
We use 'did' because the original idea is in the past simple.
Not only does the new software save time, but it also reduces human error significantly.
Focus: does the new software
El nuevo software no solo ahorra tiempo, sino que también reduce significativamente el error humano.
Great for business presentations to show multiple benefits.
✗ Not only he speaks French, but also Spanish. → ✓ Not only does he speak French, but he also speaks Spanish.
Focus: does he speak
No solo habla francés, sino también español.
Don't forget the auxiliary verb 'does' to trigger the inversion.
✗ Not only did we go there, but also did we see him. → ✓ Not only did we go there, but we also saw him.
Focus: we also saw
No solo fuimos allí, sino que también lo vimos.
Do not invert the second half of the sentence!
Not only should we consider the cost, but we must also think about the environmental impact.
Focus: should we consider
No solo debemos considerar el costo, sino que también debemos pensar en el impacto ambiental.
Modals like 'should' or 'must' follow the same inversion rule.
Not only did he forget my birthday, but he didn't even apologize!
Focus: did he forget
¡No solo se olvidó de mi cumpleaños, sino que ni siquiera se disculpó!
You can replace 'also' with other emphatic words like 'even'.
Not only was the building destroyed by the fire, but the surrounding trees were also scorched.
Focus: was the building
No solo el edificio fue destruido por el fuego, sino que los árboles circundantes también resultaron chamuscados.
Inversion works perfectly with passive voice structures.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence using the correct inverted form.
Not only ___ (she / finish) the marathon, but she also came in first place.
Since the second part is in the past ('came'), we need 'did' + subject + base verb for the inversion.
Choose the correct structure for the second clause.
Not only is the food delicious here, but ___.
The second clause should follow normal subject-verb order, not inversion.
Select the correct auxiliary for this present simple fact.
Not only ___ (it / rain) every day in London, but it's also quite windy.
For a general fact in the present simple, we use 'does' for the third person singular 'it'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Standard vs. Inverted Structure
Building the Inversion
Start with 'Not only'. Is there an auxiliary verb (be, have, can)?
Move the auxiliary before the subject. Ready for the second part?
Add 'but (subject) also'. Is the second part inverted?
When to Use Inversion
Professional
- • Job Interviews
- • Cover Letters
- • Business Pitches
Academic
- • Essays
- • Research Papers
- • Formal Debates
Expressive
- • Storytelling
- • Complaining
- • Giving Toasts
Häufig gestellte Fragen
21 FragenYes, you can. For example, 'He is not only smart but also kind.' However, when it is in the middle, you do not use inversion.
You must add one! Use do, does, or did depending on the tense, just like you would when forming a question.
Yes, it is very common. 'Not only did it rain, but it poured' is a classic example where 'also' isn't needed.
It is tricky because Not only is already negative. Usually, we use it to add two positive or two negative facts together, like 'Not only was he rude, but he was also late.'
Not necessarily. You could say, 'Not only did I enjoy the movie, but my wife loved it too.'
It is all about emphasis. By breaking the expected sentence pattern, you catch the reader's attention and signal that the information is important.
Yes, but there is no inversion then. 'I want not only the cake but also the ice cream' is a standard sentence.
Forgetting the auxiliary verb. They often say 'Not only he went' instead of the correct 'Not only did he go'.
Yes, but usually in more formal or dramatic contexts. You might hear it in a speech or a serious argument.
Absolutely. 'Not only did he arrive late, but he forgot his notes as well' sounds very natural.
In formal writing, yes. It helps separate the two distinct clauses and makes the sentence easier to read.
Yes. 'Not only has he finished his homework, but he has also cleaned his room.' Just move 'has' to the front.
Both are correct. 'But also' is the full version, but 'also' is often dropped for brevity or rhythm.
No, that would be redundant. Stick to 'but... also' or 'but... as well'.
Invert 'there' and 'is/are'. For example: 'Not only is there a problem with the car, but there is also a problem with the bike.'
Usually, we use the positive auxiliary. 'Not only can he not swim...' is possible but very clunky. It's better to rephrase.
No. 'Neither... nor' is for two negative options. 'Not only... but also' is for adding two facts, often highlighting the second one.
Yes! It is a 'high-level' structure that examiners love to see because it shows you can handle complex grammar.
Only the first auxiliary verb is inverted. 'Not only has he been working, but...' is correct.
It is always 'Not only did I'. Think of it as a question that forgot its question mark.
Yes. 'Not only was the weather cold, but it was also wet.' Just remember the inversion with the verb 'to be'.
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