could not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"could not only" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has multiple potential outcomes, with at least one being expected. For example, "The success of this project could not only benefit our company, but also the wider community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His appearance could not only stop traffic, but create gridlock.

The New York Times

They could not only transmit bits; they could manipulate them.

The New York Times - Magazine

In reality, home prices could not only go up.

The New York Times

A Jean presidency could not only prove unwise, it could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

"Pluralism could not only help to fertilize teaching and research and reinvigorate the discipline.

The New Yorker

Santayana suggested that correlative objects could not only express a poet's feeling but also evoke it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That could not only help relieve parking stress but also E.V. owners' range anxiety.

The New York Times

So aggressive citizen enforcement could not only reduce climate changing emissions, but reduce the federal deficit.

The New York Times

His soldiers could not only re-sling their knapsacks — they could fill them, too.

The New York Times

Professor Lipman found that children could not only handle the challenge but also thrive on it.

The New York Times

Violators could not only be ejected, but could be barred from future meetings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could not only" to highlight multiple benefits or outcomes, ensuring that the second outcome (introduced by "but also") provides additional value or impact.

Common error

Avoid using "could not only" without completing the structure with "but also". The phrase is incomplete and grammatically incorrect without the second part, as it sets up an expectation for another outcome or benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, linking two related elements in a sentence. It introduces the first element while setting the expectation for a subsequent element introduced by "but also". Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not only" is a grammatically sound construction used to present multiple outcomes or benefits, typically followed by "but also". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and widely used phrase. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for varied written communication. When using "could not only", ensure you complete the correlative structure with "but also" to avoid grammatical incompleteness. Consider alternatives like "not just" or "as well as" for similar effects. The abundance of examples and the authoritative nature of the sources underscore its consistent and correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just

Emphasizes one aspect among others, simplifying the dual outcome.

not solely

Focuses on excluding other factors as the single cause or purpose.

not merely

Suggests that something is more significant than initially perceived.

can also

Highlights the additional capability or result.

in addition to

Introduces an extra element or benefit.

as well as

Connects two related aspects or consequences.

furthermore

Adds extra information or an additional point.

moreover

Enhances the initial statement with another supporting detail.

besides that

Offers another consideration or advantage.

on top of that

Indicates an additional and often surprising benefit or result.

FAQs

How do I use "could not only" in a sentence?

The phrase "could not only" is used to indicate two or more results or possibilities. For example, "This strategy "could not only boost" subscriber numbers, but also give Spotify more leverage over the record labels."

What can I say instead of "could not only"?

You can use alternatives like "not just", "not solely", or "as well as" depending on the context.

Is it incorrect to use "could only" instead of "could not only"?

While "could only" indicates a limitation or a single possibility, "could not only" introduces multiple possibilities. The choice depends on the intended meaning; using "could only" when you mean to convey multiple benefits would be inaccurate.

What is the difference between "could not only" and "couldn't only"?

"Could not only" is the full form, while "couldn't only" is the contracted form. They have the same meaning, but "could not only" is generally more formal. Both are grammatically correct.