he not only has

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he not only has" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a context where you want to emphasize that someone possesses more than one quality or item, often followed by "but also" to introduce an additional quality or item. Example: "He not only has a great sense of humor, but he also has a remarkable talent for music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"He not only has a big heart, he has a lot of talent".

The New York Times - Sports

He not only has a licence to intervene – it is part of his job description.

The Guardian

He not only has golf skills but has a great personality.

The New York Times

He not only has won every singles match, but also ended them all before getting to the 17th hole.

The New York Times - Sports

Now he not only has to be repentant but also has to be able to actually show this repentance.

The New York Times

He not only has to fix every office and vote; he must unfix mis-fixed cockfights (oh, what scenes!).

The New York Times - Books

He not only has a championship ring, but he contributed heavily in Game 7 to get it.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

He not only had motoring knowledge, but also wrote scripts and came up with ideas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He not only had a good voice, he was unfailingly sensitive, restrained and sympathetic.

The Guardian - Books

He not only had the will to harm his neighbors and the United States; he had the means.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he not only has", ensure you follow it with "but also" to clearly indicate the second attribute or quality you are highlighting. This creates a balanced and complete sentence.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "he not only has" without completing the thought with "but also". This leaves the sentence incomplete and weakens its intended impact. Always include the second part of the construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he not only has" functions as an introductory element in a comparative construction, emphasizing that an individual possesses more than one attribute or quality. As Ludwig AI explains, the construction is grammatically correct. It sets up an expectation for a subsequent "but also" clause, which further elaborates on additional qualities or possessions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he not only has" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to highlight multiple attributes or possessions of an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase sets the stage for a subsequent "but also" clause, creating a balanced sentence structure. It is widely used in news and media and maintains a neutral register, suitable for a variety of professional and informal contexts. When writing, remember to always follow "he not only has" with "but also" to create a complete and impactful statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he possesses not just

Replaces "not only has" with "possesses not just", altering the verb while maintaining the core meaning of possessing multiple attributes.

he has, in addition to

Uses "in addition to" to introduce the additional attribute, changing the sentence structure and adding a slightly more formal tone.

he also has

Simplifies the structure by removing "not only", resulting in a less emphatic statement of multiple attributes.

besides having

Focuses on the act of having, rather than the emphasis of "not only", changing the sentence's focus.

in addition, he's got

Uses "he's got" to replace "he has", making the phrase more casual, and "in addition" to link attributes.

he further has

Replaces "not only" with "further", creating a more succinct but less common phrasing.

he also can boast

Introduces the idea of boasting about attributes, implying a sense of pride or accomplishment in addition to possession.

he is also equipped with

Emphasizes being equipped or prepared with certain attributes, slightly altering the nuance of possession.

as well as having

Introduces an attribute with "as well as having", changing the grammatical structure and adding a descriptive element.

he has as well

Rearranges the sentence structure to end with "as well", providing a different emphasis to the additional attribute.

FAQs

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

The phrase "he not only has" is used to emphasize that someone possesses multiple qualities or items. It is typically followed by "but also" to introduce an additional quality. For example, "He not only has talent, but he also has dedication."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "he possesses not just", "he has in addition to", or "he also has", depending on the specific context and desired level of emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "he not only has" without "but also"?

While technically understandable, omitting "but also" after "he not only has" makes the sentence incomplete and less effective. For proper grammatical structure and clarity, always include "but also".

How does the formality of "he not only has" compare to its alternatives?

The phrase "he not only has" is generally considered neutral in formality. Some alternatives, like "he possesses not just", might be perceived as slightly more formal, while others, like "in addition he's got", are more informal.