Not only do I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not only do I" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that emphasizes an additional point or idea, often in a parallel structure. Example: "Not only do I enjoy hiking, but I also love camping in the great outdoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Not only do I feel guilt, I feel hypocritical.

The New York Times

Not only do I have Asperger's syndrome, but I also have also mild cerebral palsy.

Independent

Not only do I not own a second home, I don't even own a first.

The New York Times

"Not only do I vote, but I see ev-er-y thing — ev-er-y-thing.

The New York Times

Not only do I sometimes enjoy reading hatchet-job reviews; I have written plenty of them.

Independent

"Not only do I think they will return, I think they should return," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not only do I not know why, I don't even know what mistletoe is.

The New York Times

"Not only do I want to win, I'm going to win.

The New York Times

"Not only do I play it once but I play it twice.

The Guardian - Music

Not only do I think that they appreciate it, but it makes for better directed questions.

The Guardian

Not only do I not want to, but on top of that, I cannot," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Not only do I", ensure the second part of the sentence includes "but" to maintain grammatical parallelism and emphasize the additional point. For example: "Not only do I enjoy hiking, but I also love to camp."

Common error

Avoid omitting "but" in the second clause following "Not only do I", as it weakens the emphasis and can lead to grammatical errors. For example, instead of "Not only do I like pizza, I eat pasta too", use "Not only do I like pizza, but I also eat pasta."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not only do I" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing an emphatic statement. It connects two related ideas, highlighting the first while emphasizing the addition of the second. Ludwig confirms the usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Not only do I" is a frequently used conjunction phrase that introduces an emphatic statement connecting two related ideas. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most often in News & Media. To maintain grammatical correctness, ensure the second clause contains "but" to emphasize the added point. Common errors include omitting this "but". Consider similar phrases like "I not only" for variation. Overall, the phrase is a powerful tool for adding emphasis and expanding on ideas in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I not only

Changes the word order, placing "not only" after the subject.

It's not just that I

Replaces "not only" with "it's not just that", softening the emphasis slightly.

I don't just

Uses "don't just" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly different structure.

Besides

Implies there is more to add after the initial clause.

Moreover

More formal way to introduce a second, reinforcing clause.

Furthermore

Similar to "moreover", adding additional information.

In addition to

Introduces an additional element or point.

Also

Simple addition to a statement.

Too

Adds an idea to the previous clause with the use of a single word.

As well

More formal addition to a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "Not only do I" in a sentence?

Use "Not only do I" to emphasize two related points. For example: "Not only do I enjoy reading, but I also find it very informative."

What phrases are similar to "Not only do I"?

Similar phrases include "I not only", "It's not just that I", and "I don't just", which all serve to introduce additional points.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Not only do I"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "Not only do I" creates emphasis, but it requires inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb, and the inclusion of "but" in the second clause.

What's the difference between "Not only do I" and "I not only"?

"Not only do I" places more emphasis at the beginning of the sentence, while "I not only" is a more standard word order. The former is used for emphasis, and the latter is more neutral.