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...'
Overview
Not only... but also 结构就像语法界里的“买一送一”活动。它告诉听众：“我这里有一个很酷的事实，稍等一下，我还有一个更厉害的。” 这是 C1 级别英语的标配，因为它能展示你掌控复杂结构的能力，让你听起来像个资深人士。无论是在面试还是社交媒体上，这都是你的秘密武器。既然可以说 Not only is she smart, but she is also kind，为什么还要满足于
She is smart and kind呢？这听起来更权威、更洗练，也更有趣。
Word Order Rules
You are talented 很简单。但当我们以 Not only 开头时，语法规则就进入了“疑问模式”。我们把助动词移到主语前面。这看起来完全就像一个疑问句：Are you talented?。但我们不用问号，而是继续表达第二个想法。如果你的句子里已经有了助动词（如 is, have, will, 或 can），直接移动它即可。标准句：She has won the award。倒装句：Not only has she won the award...。但如果没有助动词呢？如果是像 likes 或 went 这样的普通动词，你就需要请出 do/does/did 来支援。标准句：He liked the pizza。倒装句：Not only did he like the pizza...。注意 liked 是如何变成 like 的了吗？did 抢走了过去时态，就像在疑问句中一样。How This Grammar Works
Not only 放在句首时，你是在告诉听众：“注意了！接下来的内容不只是一个简单的列表，它是价值的累加。” 这非常有修辞色彩。在写作中，它有助于打破句式的单调。在口语中，它为你的表达增添了节奏感，甚至像音乐一样的质感。现代演说者常用它来强调惊喜。例如，科技评论员可能会说：Not only does it have a 48-megapixel camera, but it also lasts for three days.通过使用倒装，评论员让第二个重点（续航）听起来像是一个巨大的惊喜。它创造了一种信息的层级感，使第二部分通常看起来比第一部分更重要或更令人惊讶。它也非常适合用于说服别人。
Formation Pattern
Not only。
do, does, 或 did。
do/does/did，请使用动词原形。
but。
also，最后是动词。
Not only did (2) I (3) finish (4) the marathon, but (5) I (6) also set a personal record.
Pattern Variations
Not only... but also 句子看起来都一样。你有很多选择！- “省去 also” 法： 你其实可以省去
also。Not only is the food cheap, but it’s delicious。这样更有力。 - 使用 “As Well”： 不用
also，而是把as well放在句尾。 - 加上 “Too”： 和
as well类似，你可以在句尾使用too。 - 省去 “But”： 在非常正式的语境中，你可能会看到
but消失了，取而代之的是分号。 - 句中版本： 记住，如果你不以
Not only开头，就不要倒装！She is not only smart but also funny是安全版本。
Real Conversations
发言者 A: «为什么我们应该雇佣你？»
发言者 B:
Not only do I have five years of experience, but I have also managed teams.
发言者 A: «演唱会怎么样？»
发言者 B:
太疯狂了！Not only did they play all hits, but they also brought a guest!
Common Mistakes
Not only she likes...而不是
Not only does she like...。另一个大错误是“双重倒装”。学习者有时会在第二部分也进行翻转：
Not only did he sing, but also did he dance。停！第二部分是正常句子。只要说
but he also danced即可。还有“平行结构问题”。如果第一部分是关于名词的，第二部分也应该是。最后，别忘了
did 后面要接动词原形。Quick FAQ
but 之前。Not only 会引起倒装吗？Hardly 和 Never 这样的词也会引起倒装。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.
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.”
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.”
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
| 结构 | 功能 | 例子 |
|---|---|---|
|
Not only + 助动词 + 主语 + 动词..., but also 主语 + 动词...
|
强调开头，引出两个重点。
|
Not only did they arrive early, but also they brought gifts.
|
|
助动词 do/does/did
|
用于没有 be 或情态动词的一般时态。
|
Not only does she play chess, but also she wins tournaments.
|
|
助动词 be (is/are/was/were)
|
当 be 是主句动词时使用。
|
Not only was the movie good, but also the soundtrack was amazing.
|
|
助动词 情态动词 (can/will/should)
|
句中包含情态动词时使用。
|
Not only can he swim, but also he dives professionally.
|
|
无倒装 (句中 not only)
|
连接两个想法，但语气较平淡。
|
She not only sings beautifully but also plays piano expertly.
|
|
第二个分句 (but also 之后)
|
遵循正常的主谓语序。
|
Not only did he apologize, but also he explained his actions.
|
正式程度
Not only is she a gifted orator, but she is also a profound thinker. (Describing a colleague)
She's not only a good speaker but also a deep thinker. (Describing a colleague)
She's great at speaking and she's really smart too. (Describing a colleague)
She's got the gift of the gab and she's lowkey a genius. (Describing a colleague)
按水平分级的例句
He is tall and he is also strong.
She likes apples and she also likes oranges.
I am a student and I also work.
The car is red and it is also fast.
He is not only kind but also funny.
The house is not only big but also cheap.
She not only sings but also dances.
It is not only cold but also raining.
She not only finished the report, but she also sent it to the boss.
The movie was not only long, but it was also very boring.
He not only plays the guitar, but he also writes his own songs.
They not only visited London, but they also went to Edinburgh.
Not only was the food delicious, but the service was also excellent.
Not only does he speak three languages, but he also knows how to code.
Not only have they moved house, but they have also changed jobs.
Not only did it rain all day, but we also lost our umbrellas.
Not only did the CEO resign, but the entire board also stepped down.
Not only is the theory flawed, but it also lacks empirical evidence.
Not only had the hackers stolen the data, but they had also encrypted the backups.
Not only should we reduce taxes, but we must also increase public spending.
Not only were his actions unethical; they were also arguably illegal.
Not only does the poem evoke a sense of loss, but it also subverts traditional sonnet forms.
Not only can such measures be seen as intrusive, but they also risk alienating the electorate.
Not only did she refuse to apologize, but she also had the audacity to blame the victim.
容易混淆
Learners forget to invert when moving 'Not only' to the front.
Both use inversion, but 'Neither' is for negative addition.
The word order is the same, but 'Not only' sentences are not questions.
常见错误
He not only tall but also strong.
He is not only tall but also strong.
He is not only tall also strong.
He is not only tall but also strong.
Not only he is tall...
He is not only tall...
She not only plays piano but also she sings.
She not only plays piano but also sings.
Not only she likes tea...
She not only likes tea...
Not only he likes pizza, but he also likes pasta.
Not only does he like pizza, but he also likes pasta.
Not only did he arrived late...
Not only did he arrive late...
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.
Not only is the car fast, but also is it cheap.
Not only is the car fast, but it is also cheap.
Not only he has finished...
Not only has he finished...
Not only the price was high...
Not only was the price high...
句型
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
Not only did I lead the team, but I also exceeded the annual targets.
Not only is the climate changing, but the rate of change is also accelerating.
Not only will we rebuild our schools, but we will also invest in our teachers.
Not only was the steak overcooked, but the service was also incredibly slow.
Not only did the defendant trespass, but he also damaged private property.
Not only does our product clean better, but it also smells fresher.
把它想成“疑问句语序”！
Not only does he...
别用得太频繁！
Not only did I lose my job, but I also lost my house.
掌握 'do/does/did' 规则！
Not only did she win the race...
听起来更专业！
Not only can he speak five languages, but he also understands local dialects.
Smart Tips
Use one 'Not only' inversion in your conclusion to summarize two main points with impact.
Immediately look for the auxiliary verb. If it's not there, the sentence is likely wrong.
Remember to change the main verb back to its base form when you add 'did'.
Try using a semicolon instead of 'but' for a sophisticated, punchy rhythm.
发音
Stress on 'Not'
The word 'Not' is usually heavily stressed to signal the start of an emphatic structure.
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.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'Not only' as a question starter. If you can't make it a question, you can't invert it!
视觉联想
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
挑战
Write three sentences about your favorite hobby using inversion. One must use 'did', one 'is', and one 'has'.
文化笔记
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).
对话开场白
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...
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
Not only _____ she excel in academics, but also she's a gifted athlete.
Find and fix the mistake:
Not only he arrived late, but also he forgot his notes.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesShe speaks Japanese and she also speaks Russian.
Find and fix the mistake:
Not only was the movie long, but also was it boring.
Not only ___ ___ the keys, but he also lost his wallet.
Choose the best option:
only / did / not / he / fail / but / he / also / lied
1. Not only is he rich... | 2. Not only did they win... | 3. Not only have we finished...
In the structure 'Not only... but also', both clauses must be inverted.
She has finished the work.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesNot only _____ the company achieve its sales targets, but also it expanded into new markets.
Not only was the presentation informative, but also was it engaging.
哪句话是正确的？
翻译成英语：'她不仅说德语，而且还教德语。'（使用倒装）
将这些单词排成一句话：
匹配分句：
Not only _____ the director resign, but also several key employees followed suit.
Not only has the company expanded its services, but also it acquiring new clients.
选择正确的句子：
翻译成英语：'我不仅热爱学习语言，我也享受教语言。'（使用倒装）
将单词排成一句话：
完成倒装句：
Score: /12
常见问题 (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
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No solo... sino también
No inversion in Spanish.
Nicht nur... sondern auch
German inversion is driven by V2 rules, not just the negative adverb.
Non seulement... mais aussi
French maintains standard SVO order.
〜だけでなく〜も
Particle-based structure vs. word-order inversion.
ليس فقط... بل أيضاً
No specific syntactic 'flip' required.
不仅... 而且...
Strict SVO order with no auxiliary-subject swap.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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