is not only about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not only about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce the idea that a topic or subject includes more than one thing. For example: This course is not only about understanding the mechanics of the game, but also about developing a strategy for competing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Legal reasoning is not only about rules.

Huffington Post

"Football is not only about attack.

Independent

But this is not only about Okinawa.

The New York Times

But it is not only about her.

The New York Times

Art is not only about 'responses', however.

Trends in Biotechnology

This is not only about personality, though.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not only about persecuted individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Democracy is not only about accountability.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Disruptive is not only about destruction.

The Guardian

It is not only about public spending.

The Guardian - Business

But change is not only about adding.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not only about" to broaden the scope of a discussion, indicating additional considerations beyond the immediately obvious. For example, "Effective leadership is not only about giving orders, but also about inspiring and motivating your team."

Common error

Ensure you complete the thought when using "is not only about" by including a 'but also' clause to highlight the additional elements. Without the 'but also', the sentence feels incomplete and loses its intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not only about" functions as a qualifier, introducing a topic while signaling that there are additional, related aspects to consider. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to broaden the scope of a discussion. Examples in Ludwig illustrate this across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not only about" serves to broaden the scope of a discussion by indicating that multiple factors contribute to a particular subject. Grammatically correct and widely used, it signals that while one aspect is relevant, others also play a crucial role. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, from academic discussions to news reports. Remember to complete the thought with a 'but also' to fully convey the intended meaning. Examples demonstrate its use across reputable sources, indicating its reliability and versatility in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not exclusively about

Replaces 'only' with 'exclusively', emphasizing that other elements are involved.

is more than just about

Emphasizes that the subject includes additional aspects beyond what is initially considered.

involves more than just

Highlights the presence of additional components.

is not limited to

Indicates that the topic extends beyond certain boundaries.

encompasses more than

Suggests a broader scope including additional elements.

is not solely concerned with

Replaces 'only' with 'solely' and uses 'concerned with' to convey a focus on a single aspect.

extends beyond just

Focuses on the expansive nature, reaching further than a simple element.

is broader than

Focuses on a wider field and scale of the topic.

is not merely a matter of

Indicates that the issue is more complex than it appears.

is about more than

Reverses the structure to highlight that other things should be considered too.

FAQs

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

Use "is not only about" to introduce a topic and then expand on it by mentioning other aspects that are also important. For example, "Success is not only about hard work, but also about networking and timing."

What phrases are similar to "is not only about"?

You can use alternatives like "is more than just about", "is not exclusively about", or "involves more than just depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is not only about" or "is not just about"?

Both "is not only about" and "is not just about" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, but they generally serve the same purpose of broadening the focus beyond a single aspect.

What’s the difference between "is not only about" and "is not simply about"?

"Is not only about" suggests that something includes additional elements beyond what is initially mentioned, while "is not simply about" implies that the topic is more complex than a basic explanation suggests.