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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
it not only does
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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
It not only does improve the kinetics of two electrode reactions at the same time, but also reduce the kinetics difference between them.
Science
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?
News & Media
It not only doesn't fit with what happens in practice; it's wrong even in theory.
News & Media
There is a price at which it not only doesn't make sense... .. he said, his voice trailing off.
News & Media
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
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
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.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
not only that, but it
Emphasizes the 'not only' part by adding a conjunction to the expression.
it does more than just
Replaces "not only" with "more than just", emphasizing the additional benefits or actions beyond the primary one.
it also
A more concise way to express an additional action or quality. It omits "not only", making it shorter but potentially less emphatic.
in addition to that, it
Adds a more formal tone, explicitly indicating that something is being added to a previous point.
furthermore, it
Similar to "in addition", this adds a layer of formality while also adding something to what was previously mentioned.
it doesn't just
Emphasizes that the subject performs multiple actions. This phrasing can be useful when contrasting with a limited expectation.
it has the added benefit of
Highlights the extra benefits that an action or object possesses, focusing on advantages.
it also serves to
Focuses on an additional function or purpose that something fulfills.
beyond that, it
It adds something more to the sentence. It's an expression that creates a sense of surprise and expansion of the meaning
it uniquely
Emphasizes that the expression does something that other expressions don't.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested