had not only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had not only" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to introduce a set of descriptions or outcomes, as in this example sentence: Despite his efforts, his customer had not only been unimpressed by his product, but had also refused to pay for it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They had not only survived.

Yale University

Every family had not only victims but perpetrators.

Stanford University

VOx- and CuOx-impregnated catalysts had not only excellent Hg0 oxidation but also great NO reduction.

Catalysis Today

AlBorg had not only emerged unscathed — it emerged stronger.

The New York Times

His daughter had not only disappeared; she had been incarcerated.

The New Yorker

Compared to ceftazidime, PV3 had not only higher antibacterial activity but also faster bactericidal activity.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

They had not only outfought Argentina, but also outplayed them.

The Guardian - Sport

The ankle had not only fractured but also dislocated.

The Guardian - Sport

The ex-mayor had not only become a non-person.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I've not only observed this behavior.

The New York Times

The dispute has not only polarised Roraima.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had not only" to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of the first element in a pair. This makes the second element more impactful.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the "but also" clause after using "had not only". Always ensure you complete the correlative construction to avoid grammatical incompleteness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, linking two related elements or outcomes. It emphasizes that the first element is accompanied by at least one other, often unexpected, element. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had not only" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a series of related points, most effectively when paired with "but also". As validated by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, signaling its broad applicability and correctness. Remember to always complete the correlative construction to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives like "not only did they have" or "they possessed not only" can provide stylistic variation. Its primary function is to emphasize multiple aspects, making it a valuable tool for adding depth and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not only did they have

This alternative inverts the sentence structure, placing emphasis on the "did" auxiliary verb.

they possessed not only

Replaces "had" with "possessed" offering a more formal tone, and moves the phrase.

not merely had

Substitutes "not only" with "not merely", which softens the emphasis slightly.

they not only were in possession of

Rephrases to include "were in possession of" which adds length and a more descriptive sense.

they did not just have

Uses "did not just have" to express a similar meaning but with a slightly different emphasis on the 'just'.

they not only experienced

Replaces "had" with "experienced", changing the verb while maintaining the structure.

in addition to having

Replaces the entire structure with a prepositional phrase "in addition to having" for a more descriptive start.

not just possessing

Uses "possessing" to highlight ownership, altering the grammatical construction.

not solely did they have

Replaces "not only" with "not solely" giving different impact.

beyond merely having

Indicates something more profound than simply having something, with a more elevated register.

FAQs

How can I use "had not only" in a sentence?

The phrase "had not only" is used to introduce the first of two related elements, which is then completed by "but also". For example: "She "had not only" studied diligently, but also practiced consistently."

What's the difference between "had not only" and "only had"?

"Had not only" introduces an additional element or surprise, whereas "only had" restricts the scope. Example: "He "had not only" the skills, but also the experience" implies he had more than skills. "He only had the skills" implies he lacked something else.

What are some alternatives to using "had not only"?

Alternatives include using "not only... but also", "in addition to", or rephrasing to emphasize both elements separately. Examples: "Besides the skills, he had the experience.", "Not only did he have skills, but he also had experience."

Is it grammatically correct to use "had not only" without a "but also" clause?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The phrase "had not only" requires a "but also" clause to complete the correlative construction. Omitting it will make the sentence incomplete.