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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it not only does

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it not only does" is not correct as it is missing a necessary component. You can use it in contexts where you want to emphasize that something does more than one thing, typically followed by "but also." An example could be: "It not only does improve efficiency, but also enhances collaboration." Alternative expressions include "it not just does," "it not only performs," and "it not only acts."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In its reductive way, it not only doesn't display two opposed ideas; it offers no ideas at all.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It not only does improve the kinetics of two electrode reactions at the same time, but also reduce the kinetics difference between them.

The absurdity of the strong-female-character expectation becomes apparent if you reverse it: Not only does calling for "strong male characters" sound ridiculous and kind of reactionary, but who really wants to watch them?

It not only doesn't fit with what happens in practice; it's wrong even in theory.

There is a price at which it not only doesn't make sense... .. he said, his voice trailing off.

News & Media

The New York Times

If you pour coffee onto it, not only does it pour right onto the components (ventilation!) but it soaks right into the cardboard.

News & Media

TechCrunch
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"It not only did not turn out to be the Wild West here, it's a wonderful place to live.

News & Media

Independent

When she went to recharge it, not only did it work, but it worked again and again — more than 200 times.

Catrin Nilsmark, Dalmahoy, 1992 It couldn't possibly happen, but it not only did, at the end it was almost easy.

SOTOMAYOR: Well, it not only didn't decide it, but I understood Justice Scalia to be recognizing that the court's precedent had held it was not.

And I think, you know, it — not only did it win, but it won by a much bigger margin than people thought it would happen.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it not only does", ensure you follow up with "but also" to complete the correlation. This structure ensures clarity and avoids leaving the reader anticipating the second part of the statement.

Common error

A frequent error is omitting the "but also" clause after using "it not only does". Always complete the structure to maintain grammatical correctness and logical flow.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it not only does" serves as an introductory element within a sentence, functioning to highlight that a subject performs multiple actions or has multiple qualities. It sets the stage for a subsequent clause, typically introduced by "but also", to complete the thought. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression is used across many sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it not only does" is used to introduce the first of two related points, with the expectation that the second point will be introduced using "but also". It is considered grammatically acceptable, although Ludwig AI underlines that you should always complete the structure by using "but also", and appears most frequently in news and media sources. The phrase serves to emphasize multiple aspects of a subject and is suitable for neutral to formal registers.

FAQs

How can I use "it not only does" in a sentence?

The phrase "it not only does" is used to introduce one aspect or result, with the expectation of a second aspect or result being introduced by a "but also" clause. For example, "It not only does improve efficiency, but also enhances collaboration."

What are some alternatives to "it not only does"?

You can use alternatives like "it also", "it does more than just", or "in addition to that, it" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "it not only does"?

Yes, "it not only does" is grammatically correct when followed by a "but also" clause. Omitting the "but also" would make the sentence incomplete.

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

"It not only does" sets up an expectation for a second point, often introduced by "but also", whereas "it also" simply adds another point without the same level of emphasis or anticipation.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: