is not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"is not only" is a valid phrase and is used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something has more than one purpose or effect. For example, "Exercise is not only good for physical health, but it can also help improve mental wellbeing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Today the issue is not only personal.

The New York Times

The resistance is not only here.

The New York Times

Time is not only a valuable asset.

The New York Times

But this is not only about Okinawa.

The New York Times

And it is not only residents involved.

The New York Times

Mr. Fisher is not only entirely correct.

The New York Times

It is not only your work.

The New Yorker

The problem, admittedly, is not only local.

The New York Times - Arts

The pressure is not only from China.

The New York Times - Sports

"Football is not only about attack.

Independent

Joao is not only a brave photographer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not only", ensure you follow it with "but also" to complete the correlative conjunction and create a balanced sentence. For example: "This policy is not only effective, but also fair".

Common error

Avoid omitting the "but also" component after "is not only". This omission can lead to grammatically incomplete and stylistically awkward sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not only" functions as a correlative conjunction initiator, setting up a parallel structure that introduces the first of two (or more) related elements. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not only" serves as a versatile correlative conjunction, used to highlight that something has multiple attributes or purposes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various writing styles. Remember to follow "is not only" with "but also" to maintain grammatical completeness. While "is not only" appears most frequently in news and media, it is also common in scientific and formal writing, making it a useful phrase to add emphasis in any register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not just

Substitutes "only" with "just", offering a slightly more emphatic tone.

is also

A simpler alternative, omitting "not only" but conveying the additional aspect.

is as well

A more concise way to indicate an additional quality or characteristic.

is more than

Focuses on exceeding a single aspect or limitation.

encompasses more than

Highlights that something includes more than just one thing.

is coupled with

Emphasizes the combination of two or more elements.

extends beyond

Highlights that something goes past one particular thing.

is characterized by

Highlights multiple defining traits or features.

is multifaceted

Replaces the phrase with a single word expressing multiple aspects.

is inclusive of

Indicates that something encompasses multiple elements.

FAQs

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

Use "is not only" to introduce the first of two related points, ensuring it's followed by "but also" to complete the correlation. For example, "The book "is not only" informative but also entertaining".

What are some alternatives to "is not only"?

Alternatives include "is also", "is not just", and "is more than", which provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

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

While understandable, omitting "but also" after "is not only" creates an incomplete correlative conjunction, making the sentence grammatically weaker. It's better to include both for clarity and style.

What's the difference between "is not only" and "is just"?

"Is not only" implies that something has at least two qualities or purposes, while "is just" suggests a limitation to a single aspect or characteristic. The former expands, the latter restricts.