C1 Sentence Structure 18 min read Difficile

Inversion avec 'Not only... but also' (structure de la phrase)

Maîtriser l'inversion avec
not only... but also
fait passer ton anglais au niveau C1, ajoutant un dramatic, sophisticated emphasis à tes phrases.
Marquer comme appris
Entraîne-toi

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Move 'Not only' to the start and flip your subject and verb like a question to sound sophisticated and emphatic.

  • Start with 'Not only' followed immediately by an auxiliary verb (do, does, did, is, have). Example: 'Not only did she...'
  • The first clause uses question word order, but it is not a question. Example: 'Not only is he...'
  • The second clause starts with 'but' and usually includes 'also' in the normal position. Example: '...but he also...'
Not only + [Auxiliary Verb] + [Subject] + [Main Verb]..., but + [Subject] + also + [Verb]

Overview

### Overview
Bienvenue dans ce module avancé consacré à l'une des structures les plus élégantes et les plus percutantes de la langue anglaise : l'inversion avec not only... but also. Si tu lis ce guide, c'est que tu as déjà dépassé le stade de la simple communication pour viser la maîtrise stylistique.
Au niveau C1, on ne se contente plus de transmettre une information ; on cherche à sculpter son discours pour captiver, convaincre et démontrer une aisance linguistique supérieure.
Not only... but also est ce qu'on appelle une conjonction corrélative. Elle sert à lier deux idées liées, en soulignant que les deux sont vraies et souvent, que la seconde est encore plus surprenante ou importante que la première.
Cependant, la version que nous étudions ici — celle qui commence la phrase par not only — déclenche un phénomène grammatical fascinant : l'inversion sujet-auxiliaire.
Pourquoi est-ce crucial pour toi ? Parce que cette structure est le marqueur typique d'un anglais académique, professionnel ou littéraire de haut vol. C'est l'outil que tu utiliseras dans une présentation commerciale pour impressionner tes clients, dans un essai pour obtenir un score élevé à l'IELTS ou au Cambridge, ou même dans un e-mail formel pour souligner l'ampleur d'un projet.
En gros, c'est la différence entre dire « Il est intelligent et travailleur » et « Non seulement est-il d'une intelligence rare, mais il fait également preuve d'un acharnement exemplaire ». L'impact n'est absolument pas le même.
### How This Grammar Works
Pour comprendre comment cette règle fonctionne, il faut d'abord regarder comment nous, francophones, gérons cette idée. En français, nous disons : « Non seulement il a gagné, mais il a aussi battu le record. » L'ordre des mots après « Non seulement » reste strictement le même que dans une phrase affirmative classique (Sujet + Verbe).
En anglais, c'est là que le piège se referme. Si tu places not only au début de la phrase pour créer de l'emphase, l'anglais considère que tu introduis un élément « négatif » ou « restrictif » en position initiale. Par une sorte de réflexe syntaxique, la phrase réagit en inversant le sujet et l'auxiliaire, exactement comme si tu posais une question.
C'est ce qu'on appelle le Negative Adverbial Fronting.
Regarde la transformation :
  1. 1Phrase standard (Niveau B1) : He not only cleaned the house but also cooked dinner. (Pas d'inversion car not only n'est pas en début de phrase).
  2. 2Phrase emphatique (Niveau C1) : Not only did he clean the house, but he also cooked dinner.
L'inversion ne se produit que dans la première partie de la phrase (la proposition introduite par not only). La seconde partie, après le but also, conserve un ordre des mots tout à fait normal. C'est ce contraste qui crée une dynamique rythmique très appréciée à l'écrit comme à l'oral formel.
L'idée est de créer une attente chez l'auditeur : en commençant par not only et l'inversion, tu signales immédiatement : « Attention, ce que je vais dire est important, et il y a une suite encore plus intéressante ! »
### Formation Pattern
La règle d'or pour former cette structure est de se souvenir de la construction d'une question. Si tu sais poser une question en anglais, tu sais utiliser l'inversion avec not only.
Voici les trois scénarios principaux selon le type de verbe utilisé :
  1. 1Avec le verbe to be : On inverse simplement le sujet et le verbe be.
  • Standard : The weather was not only cold but also rainy.
  • Inversé : Not only was the weather cold, but it was also rainy.
  1. 1Avec un auxiliaire (have, will, can, should, etc.) : On place l'auxiliaire avant le sujet.
  • Standard : They have not only finished the project but also exceeded the budget.
  • Inversé : Not only have they finished the project, but they have also exceeded the budget.
  1. 1Avec un verbe d'action au présent ou au passé simple : C'est ici que ça se corse pour nous. Comme il n'y a pas d'auxiliaire visible, il faut impérativement en ajouter un : do, does ou did, et remettre le verbe principal à sa forme de base (l'infinitif sans to).
  • Standard : She speaks French and Japanese.
  • Inversé : Not only does she speak French, but she also speaks Japanese.
Voici un tableau récapitulatif pour visualiser la structure :
| Temps / Type de verbe | Structure de l'inversion | Exemple complet |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Not only + do/does + Sujet + Verbe (base) | Not only does he work hard, but he also manages a team. |
| Past Simple | Not only + did + Sujet + Verbe (base) | Not only did they arrive late, but they also forgot the keys. |
| Present Perfect | Not only + has/have + Sujet + Participe Passé | Not only have we seen the results, but we have also analyzed them. |
| Modaux (can/will) | Not only + can/will + Sujet + Verbe (base) | Not only can she sing, but she can also compose music. |
| Verbe TO BE | Not only + is/are/was/were + Sujet | Not only was the film long, but it was also quite boring. |
### When To Use It
Utiliser l'inversion à tout bout de champ risquerait de rendre ton discours lourd ou artificiel. Il faut savoir choisir ses moments. Voici les contextes où cette structure brille particulièrement :
  • Dans les présentations professionnelles : Pour souligner la double valeur d'une solution ou d'un produit.
*Exemple* : Not only does our software reduce costs, but it also increases productivity by 20%. (Ici, l'inversion donne un poids marketing beaucoup plus fort).
  • Dans les essais académiques ou les rapports : Pour lier deux arguments de manière sophistiquée.
*Exemple* : Not only did the industrial revolution change the economy, but it also reshaped the social fabric of the country.
  • Pour exprimer la surprise ou l'indignation : L'emphase permet de souligner le caractère exceptionnel (en bien ou en mal) d'une situation.
*Exemple* : Not only did he lie to me, but he also stole my ideas!
  • À l'écrit littéraire ou journalistique : Pour créer un rythme dramatique. Les journalistes du *Guardian* ou du *New York Times* en raffolent pour structurer leurs éditoriaux.
Note stylistique : Tu remarquerez que dans la deuxième partie de la phrase (but also), le also peut se déplacer. On peut dire :
  • ...but also he is kind.
  • ...but he is also kind.
  • ...but he is kind as well.
Ces variations sont toutes correctes au niveau C1 et permettent d'éviter la monotonie.
### Common Mistakes
En tant que francophones, nos erreurs proviennent souvent du calque direct de notre langue maternelle (le fameux transfert linguistique).
  1. 1L'oubli de l'auxiliaire (Le calque du français)
  • *Erreur* : Not only she is smart, but also she is kind.
  • *Pourquoi ?* En français, on dit « Non seulement elle est... ». On a tendance à oublier que le Not only en début de phrase en anglais agit comme un déclencheur d'inversion.
  • *Correction* : Not only is she smart...
  1. 1L'oubli du do/does/did avec les verbes d'action
  • *Erreur* : Not only she speaks English, but also...
  • *Pourquoi ?* On oublie que pour inverser un verbe comme speak, l'anglais a besoin de son auxiliaire de support does.
  • *Correction* : Not only does she speak English...
  1. 1La double inversion (Le piège de la sur-correction)
  • *Erreur* : Not only did he call, but also did he send an email.
  • *Pourquoi ?* On pense que si on inverse la première partie, il faut aussi inverser la deuxième. C'est faux ! La deuxième partie reste une affirmation classique.
  • *Correction* : Not only did he call, but he also sent an email.
  1. 1L'accord du verbe avec does/did
  • *Erreur* : Not only does he works...
  • *Pourquoi ?* C'est l'erreur classique du niveau B1 qui revient parfois sous le stress au niveau C1. Une fois que does ou did est là, le verbe principal perd son -s ou sa marque du passé.
  • *Correction* : Not only does he work...
### Contrast With Similar Patterns
L'inversion avec not only fait partie d'une famille plus large d'inversions dites « négatives ». Pour vraiment maîtriser le sujet, il est utile de voir comment elle se compare à d'autres structures que tu rencontreras au niveau C1.
| Structure | Utilisation | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
| Not only... but also | Ajout de deux informations avec emphase. | Not only did it rain, but it hailed. |
| Never / Rarely / Seldom | Fréquence quasi nulle, ton très formel. | Never have I seen such beauty. |
| Hardly / Scarcely... when | Une action qui arrive juste après une autre. | Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang. |
| Under no circumstances | Interdiction formelle ou condition stricte. | Under no circumstances should you open this. |
Le point commun ? Toutes ces structures déplacent un mot à connotation négative ou restrictive au début de la phrase, ce qui force le sujet et l'auxiliaire à échanger leurs places. Si tu maîtrises not only, tu as déjà fait 80% du chemin pour maîtriser toutes les autres inversions littéraires de l'anglais.
### Quick FAQ
1. Est-ce que je peux utiliser cette structure à l'oral avec mes amis ?
Techniquement, oui, mais c'est très formel. Si tu dis à un ami au pub : Not only did I buy a beer, but I also bought some chips, il risque de te regarder bizarrement, comme si tu faisais un discours officiel. Garde cette structure pour le travail, les examens, ou quand tu veux vraiment marquer le coup de façon dramatique.
2. Le but also est-il obligatoire ?
Pas forcément. Tu peux utiliser but... as well ou même juste but si le contexte est clair.
*Exemple* : Not only is he a great boss, but he's a wonderful father too. C'est tout à fait correct et un peu plus fluide.
3. Que se passe-t-il si mon sujet est long ?
L'inversion reste la même, mais sois vigilant.
*Exemple* : Not only did the representatives of the three major companies agree on the terms, but they also signed the contract. Ici, l'auxiliaire did est loin du verbe agree, mais la structure doit rester solide.
4. Est-ce que ça marche avec les noms ?
Oui, si not only porte sur le sujet et non sur toute la proposition, l'inversion n'est pas nécessaire.
*Exemple* : Not only Mark but also Sarah attended the meeting. (Ici, pas d'inversion car not only ne commence pas une proposition entière avec un verbe, il lie juste deux noms). L'inversion ne se produit que lorsque not only introduit une action complète.

Inversion Patterns by Tense

Tense Auxiliary Used Inverted Structure Example
Present Simple
do / does
Not only does/do + S + Verb...
Not only does he work...
Past Simple
did
Not only did + S + Verb...
Not only did they win...
Present Continuous
is / am / are
Not only is/am/are + S + V-ing...
Not only are they coming...
Present Perfect
have / has
Not only have/has + S + V-ed...
Not only has she seen...
Past Perfect
had
Not only had + S + V-ed...
Not only had he left...
Modal Verbs
can / will / should
Not only can/will + S + Verb...
Not only can she sing...
Verb 'To Be'
is / was / were
Not only is/was + S + Adj...
Not only was it cold...

Meanings

A rhetorical device used to emphasize that two related things are true, often suggesting that the second thing is even more surprising or important than the first.

1

Emphatic Addition

Used to highlight that a second, often more significant, fact exists alongside the first.

“Not only is she a brilliant scientist, but she is also a talented pianist.”

2

Rhetorical Persuasion

Used in debates or arguments to stack evidence in a way that sounds authoritative.

“Not only does this policy save money, but it also protects the environment.”

3

Narrative Drama

Used in storytelling to build tension or show a sequence of unfortunate or fortunate events.

“Not only had the rain started, but the car had also broken down.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Inversion avec 'Not only... but also' (structure de la phrase)
Structure Fonction Exemple
Not only + Aux + S + V...
Ouverture emphatique ; met en lumière deux points.
Not only did they arrive early, but also they brought gifts.
Auxiliary `do`/`does`/`did`
Utilisé pour les temps simples sans `be` ou modaux.
Not only does she play chess, but also she wins tournaments.
Auxiliary `be` (`is`/`are`/`was`/`were`)
Utilisé quand 'be' est le verbe principal.
Not only was the movie good, but also the soundtrack was amazing.
Auxiliary `modal verb` (`can`/`will`/`should`)
Utilisé quand un modal est présent.
Not only can he swim, but also he dives professionally.
No inversion (mid-sentence `not only`)
Lie deux idées sans emphase forte.
She not only sings beautifully but also plays piano expertly.
Second clause (after 'but also')
Suit l'ordre normal sujet-verbe.
Not only did he apologize, but also he explained his actions.

Spectre de formalité

Formel
Not only is she a gifted orator, but she is also a profound thinker.

Not only is she a gifted orator, but she is also a profound thinker. (Describing a colleague)

Neutre
She's not only a good speaker but also a deep thinker.

She's not only a good speaker but also a deep thinker. (Describing a colleague)

Informel
She's great at speaking and she's really smart too.

She's great at speaking and she's really smart too. (Describing a colleague)

Argot
She's got the gift of the gab and she's lowkey a genius.

She's got the gift of the gab and she's lowkey a genius. (Describing a colleague)

L'inversion avec 'Not only... but also'

Not only... but also (Inversion)

Structure

  • Not only Début de phrase
  • Auxiliary Verb Auxiliaire (Do/Does/Did, Be, Modaux)
  • Subject Suit l'auxiliaire
  • Main Verb Forme de base (si Do/Does/Did)
  • but also Connecte la deuxième proposition
  • Second Clause Ordre S+V normal

Objectif

  • Emphasis Met en lumière deux points
  • Formality Ton plus formel
  • Surprise Introduit une information inattendue
  • Impact Effet rhétorique plus fort

Erreurs courantes

  • No Inversion Oubli Aux+S
  • Wrong Aux Auxiliaire Do/Does/Did incorrect
  • Verb Form Pas la forme de base après Do/Did
  • Second Clause Inversion Inutile

Contextes

  • Academic Writing Essais, rapports
  • Speeches Présentations, discours formels
  • Journalism Ouvertures dramatiques
  • Persuasion Mise en avant des avantages
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Exemples par niveau

1

He is tall and he is also strong.

2

She likes apples and she also likes oranges.

3

I am a student and I also work.

4

The car is red and it is also fast.

1

He is not only kind but also funny.

2

The house is not only big but also cheap.

3

She not only sings but also dances.

4

It is not only cold but also raining.

1

She not only finished the report, but she also sent it to the boss.

2

The movie was not only long, but it was also very boring.

3

He not only plays the guitar, but he also writes his own songs.

4

They not only visited London, but they also went to Edinburgh.

1

Not only was the food delicious, but the service was also excellent.

2

Not only does he speak three languages, but he also knows how to code.

3

Not only have they moved house, but they have also changed jobs.

4

Not only did it rain all day, but we also lost our umbrellas.

1

Not only did the CEO resign, but the entire board also stepped down.

2

Not only is the theory flawed, but it also lacks empirical evidence.

3

Not only had the hackers stolen the data, but they had also encrypted the backups.

4

Not only should we reduce taxes, but we must also increase public spending.

1

Not only were his actions unethical; they were also arguably illegal.

2

Not only does the poem evoke a sense of loss, but it also subverts traditional sonnet forms.

3

Not only can such measures be seen as intrusive, but they also risk alienating the electorate.

4

Not only did she refuse to apologize, but she also had the audacity to blame the victim.

Facile à confondre

Inversion with 'Not only... but also' (sentence structure) vs Standard 'Not only... but also'

Learners forget to invert when moving 'Not only' to the front.

Inversion with 'Not only... but also' (sentence structure) vs Negative Inversion with 'Neither'

Both use inversion, but 'Neither' is for negative addition.

Inversion with 'Not only... but also' (sentence structure) vs Question Formation

The word order is the same, but 'Not only' sentences are not questions.

Erreurs courantes

✗

He not only tall but also strong.

✓

He is not only tall but also strong.

Missing the verb 'to be'.
✗

He is not only tall also strong.

✓

He is not only tall but also strong.

Missing the conjunction 'but'.
✗

Not only he is tall...

✓

He is not only tall...

Trying to invert at A1 level without knowing the rule.
✗

She not only plays piano but also she sings.

✓

She not only plays piano but also sings.

Redundant subject in the second clause.
✗

Not only she likes tea...

✓

She not only likes tea...

Incorrect word order for A2 level.
✗

Not only he likes pizza, but he also likes pasta.

✓

Not only does he like pizza, but he also likes pasta.

Forgetting to invert when starting with 'Not only'.
✗

Not only did he arrived late...

✓

Not only did he arrive late...

Using the past tense verb with 'did'.
✗

Not only did he arrive late, but also did he forget his keys.

✓

Not only did he arrive late, but he also forgot his keys.

Double inversion (inverting the second clause).
✗

Not only is the car fast, but also is it cheap.

✓

Not only is the car fast, but it is also cheap.

Inverting the second clause with the verb 'to be'.
✗

Not only he has finished...

✓

Not only has he finished...

Forgetting inversion in the present perfect.
✗

Not only the price was high...

✓

Not only was the price high...

Forgetting to move the verb 'to be' before the subject.

Structures de phrases

Not only is ___ ___, but it is also ___.

Not only did ___ ___, but they also ___.

Not only does ___ ___, but it also ___.

Not only have ___ ___, but we have also ___.

Real World Usage

Job Interviews common

Not only did I lead the team, but I also exceeded the annual targets.

Academic Essays very common

Not only is the climate changing, but the rate of change is also accelerating.

Political Speeches very common

Not only will we rebuild our schools, but we will also invest in our teachers.

Restaurant Reviews occasional

Not only was the steak overcooked, but the service was also incredibly slow.

Legal Documents common

Not only did the defendant trespass, but he also damaged private property.

Marketing Copy common

Not only does our product clean better, but it also smells fresher.

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💡

Pense au mode 'question' !

La première partie de la phrase après 'not only' doit avoir l'ordre des mots d'une question : verbe auxiliaire + sujet + verbe principal. Ça t'aide à ne pas te tromper avec l'inversion !
Not only is she smart, but also she is kind.
⚠️

N'en abuse pas !

Cette structure est puissante et formelle. Si tu l'utilises trop souvent, ça peut sonner bizarre et diluer son impact. Garde-la pour les moments clés ! "Not only is it a challenging rule, but also it's worth mastering."
🎯

Maîtrise la règle 'do/does/did' !

Pour les temps simples (présent et passé) sans 'be' ou un modal, tu DOIS introduire 'do', 'does' ou 'did' comme auxiliaire pour l'inversion. Et attention, le verbe principal revient à sa forme de base !
Not only did he call, but also he left a message.
🌍

Parle comme un pro !

Utiliser 'not only... but also' avec l'inversion correctement montre que tu maîtrises l'anglais à fond. Ça rend ton langage avancé, articulé et super impactant dans les contextes formels.
Not only do they understand the theory, but also they apply it effectively.

Smart Tips

Use one 'Not only' inversion in your conclusion to summarize two main points with impact.

The city has good transport and lots of parks. → Not only does the city boast an efficient transport system, but it also offers numerous green spaces.

Immediately look for the auxiliary verb. If it's not there, the sentence is likely wrong.

Not only the price is high... → Not only is the price high...

Remember to change the main verb back to its base form when you add 'did'.

Not only did he went... → Not only did he go...

Try using a semicolon instead of 'but' for a sophisticated, punchy rhythm.

Not only was he a king, but he was also a god. → Not only was he a king; he was also a god.

Prononciation

/nɒt/ (Stressed)

Stress on 'Not'

The word 'Not' is usually heavily stressed to signal the start of an emphatic structure.

Not only did he WIN (up)...

Rising Intonation

The first clause often has a rising intonation at the end to create suspense for the second clause.

The Suspense Curve

Not only did he [rise] WIN, but he [fall] also broke the RECORD.

Creates a sense of building importance.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Not only' as a question starter. If you can't make it a question, you can't invert it!

Association visuelle

Imagine a mirror at the start of the sentence. When the subject and verb look into the 'Not only' mirror, they see themselves swapped.

Rhyme

When 'Not only' leads the way, the verb and subject swap their play.

Story

A formal butler enters a room. He doesn't just say 'The tea is hot.' He says, 'Not only is the tea hot, sir, but the scones are also fresh.' The butler always inverts because he is very formal.

Word Web

InversionAuxiliaryEmphasisFormalRhetoricCorrelative

Défi

Write three sentences about your favorite hobby using inversion. One must use 'did', one 'is', and one 'has'.

Notes culturelles

Inversion is very common in high-level British journalism (e.g., The Economist, BBC News) to sound authoritative.

Used frequently in US universities to link evidence in argumentative essays.

This structure is a classic 'tricolon' or 'bicolon' device used in Western oratory from Cicero to Churchill.

Derived from Old English 'na læs þæt an... ac eac' (not less that one... but also).

Amorces de conversation

“

Tell me about a city you visited. Not only was it... but it was also...

“

What makes a good leader? Not only should they... but they must also...

“

Think of a bad day you had. Not only did... but... also...

“

Discuss the benefits of technology. Not only has it... but it has also...

Sujets d'écriture

Write a review of a terrible movie you saw. Use inversion to emphasize how bad it was.
Write a formal letter of recommendation for a friend. Use inversion to highlight their skills.
Describe a major historical event. Use inversion to show its impact.
Write a persuasive paragraph about why people should exercise.

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choisis le bon auxiliaire pour compléter la phrase inversée.

Not only _____ she excel in academics, but also she's a gifted athlete.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: does
Pour le verbe 'excel' au présent simple, on utilise l'auxiliaire 'does' avec le sujet à la troisième personne du singulier 'she'. C'est ça, la magie de l'inversion !
Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Not only he arrived late, but also he forgot his notes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only did he arrive late, but also he forgot his notes.
Quand 'not only' commence une phrase avec un verbe au passé simple comme 'arrived', l'inversion sujet-auxiliaire est nécessaire. Il faut utiliser 'did' et remettre le verbe principal à sa forme de base ('arrive'). C'est une erreur classique !
Remets les mots dans l'ordre pour former une phrase grammaticalement correcte avec inversion. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only was the exam challenging, but also it was unfair.
La structure inversée correcte est 'Not only + auxiliaire (was) + sujet (the exam) + complément (challenging), but also + sujet (it) + verbe (was) + complément (unfair)'. Bravo !

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Rewrite the sentence starting with 'Not only'. Sentence Transformation

She speaks Japanese and she also speaks Russian.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
We need the auxiliary 'does' for the present simple 'speaks' and the base form 'speak'.
Identify the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Not only was the movie long, but also was it boring.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Only the first clause is inverted. The second clause must have normal word order.
Fill in the missing words.

Not only ___ ___ the keys, but he also lost his wallet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Past simple inversion requires 'did' + subject + base verb 'lose'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct and formal? Choix multiple

Choose the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Option B correctly inverts the verb 'to be' in the first clause and uses normal order in the second.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

only / did / not / he / fail / but / he / also / lied

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
The correct order is Not only + auxiliary + subject + verb.
Match the start of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

1. Not only is he rich... | 2. Not only did they win... | 3. Not only have we finished...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Matches based on tense and logic.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

In the structure 'Not only... but also', both clauses must be inverted.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Only the first clause (the one starting with 'Not only') is inverted.
Change 'She has finished' into the 'Not only' inverted form. Conjugation Drill

She has finished the work.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
The present perfect 'has finished' inverts to 'has she finished'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complète la phrase inversée avec la forme correcte. Texte trous

Not only _____ the company achieve its sales targets, but also it expanded into new markets.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: did
Identifie et corrige l'erreur grammaticale. Error Correction

Not only was the presentation informative, but also was it engaging.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only was the presentation informative, but also it was engaging.
Sélectionne la phrase qui utilise 'not only... but also' avec l'inversion correcte. Choix multiple

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only did he apologize, but also he offered a solution.
Traduis la phrase en anglais, en utilisant 'Not only... but also' avec inversion. Traduction

Translate into English: 'She not only speaks German, but also she teaches it.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Not only does she speak German, but also she teaches it."]
Réorganise les mots pour former une phrase inversée correcte. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only can we attend the conference, but also we can present our research.
Associe le début de l'inverted sentence à sa bonne continuation. Match Pairs

Match the clauses:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choisis la bonne option pour compléter la phrase inversée. Texte trous

Not only _____ the director resign, but also several key employees followed suit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: did
Corrige l'erreur dans la phrase suivante. Error Correction

Not only has the company expanded its services, but also it acquiring new clients.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only has the company expanded its services, but also it has acquired new clients.
Identifie la phrase grammaticalement correcte. Choix multiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only were the instructions clear, but also they were easy to follow.
Traduis la phrase en anglais, en maintenant l'emphase avec l'inversion. Traduction

Translate into English: 'I not only love learning languages, but I also enjoy teaching them.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Not only do I love learning languages, but also I enjoy teaching them."]
Décode les mots pour créer une phrase inversée. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not only had the students passed the exam, but also they excelled.
Associe le début de la proposition inversée à sa bonne complétion. Match Pairs

Complete the inverted sentences:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

Yes, if it's in the middle of the sentence: 'He is not only smart but also kind.' Inversion is only for when 'Not only' starts the sentence.

Usually, you need 'but' to connect the two clauses. 'Also' can sometimes be replaced by 'as well' at the end of the sentence.

Yes! It sounds professional and highlights your achievements effectively.

This is a historical feature of English where certain negative adverbs trigger 'Subject-Auxiliary Inversion', the same mechanism used for questions.

Yes, it is standard to use a comma to separate the two independent clauses.

It's rare. Usually, it's for two. For three, you'd just use a list: 'He is smart, kind, and funny.'

You must add 'do', 'does', or 'did', just like you do when forming a question in the present or past simple.

Only in very formal situations, like a wedding toast, a presentation, or a speech. In daily chat, it sounds too 'bookish'.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

No solo... sino también

No inversion in Spanish.

German high

Nicht nur... sondern auch

German inversion is driven by V2 rules, not just the negative adverb.

French moderate

Non seulement... mais aussi

French maintains standard SVO order.

Japanese low

〜だけでなく〜も

Particle-based structure vs. word-order inversion.

Arabic low

ليس فقط... بل أيضاً

No specific syntactic 'flip' required.

Chinese low

不仅... 而且...

Strict SVO order with no auxiliary-subject swap.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Emphase avec inversion : 'Only' + expressions de temps
Next
Inversion avec 'En aucun cas'

Learn These First

C1 Builds On

Emphase avec 'Jamais' (Inversion)

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