he not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"he not only" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in order to emphasize that the following statement contains more than one thing. For example, "He not only attended the meeting, but also solved the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he not only rode — he won.

The New Yorker

He not only agreed, he went further.

The New York Times

He not only spotted Stoppard.

The Guardian

So he not only thinks this way.

The Washington Post

He not only made the primary.

The New York Times

He not only reads books but writes them.

The Economist

He not only matched his young opponent but topped him.

The New Yorker

"He not only had legal smarts but street smarts".

The New York Times

He not only acquired and edited books; he promoted them.

The New Yorker

He not only divides opinion; he subdivides it.

The Guardian - Books

He not only recovered, but also rode better than ever.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he not only", ensure a clear parallel structure is maintained with the "but also" clause to enhance clarity and impact. For example, "He not only sings, but also dances" maintains a strong parallel.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "but also" component after "he not only", as this disrupts the intended emphasis and grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "He not only sings", use "He not only sings, but also dances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he not only" serves as a connector and introducer to emphasize that what follows is one of multiple aspects or actions. It creates an expectation that another element will be added with "but also". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he not only" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to emphasize multiple aspects or actions performed by a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. To use it effectively, maintain parallel structure with the "but also" clause, and be mindful of the intended emphasis. While there are alternative phrases like "not just him" or "in addition to him", "he not only" offers a specific emphasis that makes it a valuable tool in writing and speech. Its frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not merely him, but

Substitutes "he not only" with "not merely him, but", suggesting the subject is more than what is initially apparent.

not just him, but also

Replaces "he not only" with "not just him, but also", emphasizing the person's involvement along with other aspects.

furthermore, he

Introduces an additional point about the subject using "furthermore, he".

moreover, he

Similar to 'furthermore', this phrase indicates an addition to what was previously stated.

in addition to him

Uses "in addition to him" to introduce another aspect of what he does.

he is also

Rephrases to focus on an additional characteristic of the subject.

besides him

Employs "besides him" to indicate additional qualities or actions.

on top of that, he

Informally introduces something additional or unexpected about him.

he also

A more concise version, focusing on the additional action or quality of the subject.

apart from that, he

Uses "apart from that, he" to introduce an additional aspect of the subject.

FAQs

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

The phrase "he not only" is used to introduce one action or quality of a person, with the expectation that a subsequent clause introduced by "but also" will add another, often more significant, action or quality. For example, "He not only sings, but also composes his own music".

What are some alternatives to saying "he not only"?

You can use alternatives such as "not just him", "in addition to him", or "besides him" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning of adding information.

Is it grammatically correct to use "he only" instead of "he not only"?

While "he only" is grammatically correct, it conveys a different meaning than "he not only". "He only" implies limitation, whereas "he not only" introduces an additional, often surprising, element. The choice depends entirely on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "he not only" and "he also"?

The phrase "he not only" sets up an expectation for a subsequent "but also", creating a more emphatic structure to highlight multiple qualities or actions. "He also" simply adds another piece of information without the same level of emphasis or expectation of a complementary point.