Not only do they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not only do they" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that emphasizes an additional point, often in a structure that pairs it with "but also" to highlight two related ideas. Example: "Not only do they excel in academics, but they also participate actively in extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not only do they disagree.

The Economist

Not only do they represent the nation's capital.

Independent

Not only do they have Poland's example before them.

The New York Times

Not only do they eat breakfast in the car.

The New York Times

Not only do they not put them on trial, not only do they not admonish them, not only do they not apologize to Iran, but they give an award to the commander of the warship.

The New York Times

Not only do they abduct and imprison through forced marriage, terrorize and gang rape.

The New York Times

Not only do they come feeling good, they leave feeling better," she said.

The New York Times

Not only do they distrust official institutions; they also cannot afford them.

The Economist

Not only do they rarely get rabies, but possums are virtually immune to snake venom.

The New York Times

Not only do they demonstrate their acrobatics repeatedly, but they also wrestle for us.

The New York Times

Not only do they worry about the social (and electoral) costs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add clarity and maintain a consistent tone, ensure that the subject of the first clause introduced by "Not only do they" is the same as the subject of the subsequent clause introduced by "but also".

Common error

Avoid using "Not only do they" without completing the thought with a "but also" clause. This omission can leave the sentence incomplete and weaken the intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not only do they" serves as an introductory conjunction, emphasizing that what follows is just one aspect of a broader statement. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase sets the stage for adding another related point, typically connected with the "but also" construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Not only do they" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the first part of a two-part statement, emphasizing the subsequent addition of another related point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its effectiveness lies in setting up an expectation of further information, usually paired with a "but also" clause. The phrase is versatile, fitting across various registers—though more prevalent in news and media. Remember to always complete the thought with a 'but also' clause and maintain consistency in subject matter between the clauses for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not only that, they

Highlights the additional point with emphasis.

They not only

Reverses the order, placing 'not only' after the subject.

Not just do they

Substitutes "just" for "only" to convey a similar meaning.

In addition to that, they

Emphasizes the additive nature of the information.

Besides that, they

Highlights that something else is also true.

Furthermore, they

Indicates an additional point is being made.

Moreover, they

Similar to 'furthermore', adding extra information.

They also

A more concise way of adding information.

As well as that, they

Emphasizes the additional aspect.

Beyond that, they

Implies an additional unexpected aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "Not only do they" to introduce one point, and follow it up with "but also" to introduce a related, often surprising, second point. For example, "Not only do they offer competitive salaries, but they also provide excellent benefits."

What can I say instead of "Not only do they"?

You can use alternatives like "they not only", "not just do they", or phrases like "In addition to that, they" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "Not only do they" creates emphasis, and it requires inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb (do). However, it must be followed by a "but also" clause to be complete.

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

"Not only do they" places emphasis at the beginning of the sentence, while "They not only" is a more standard sentence structure. Both are grammatically correct, but "Not only do they" is used to highlight the surprising or additional nature of the information.