must not only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must not only" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something should not be done in addition to another action or requirement. For example: "Students must not only read the assigned material, but must also take notes for the upcoming test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One must not only discharge his legal obligations.

Cornell University

We must not only attack but also defend well".

The Guardian - Sport

Performance must not only be improved but "driven up".

The Guardian

He must not only convey information, but knowledge as well.

The Guardian

They must not only catch up, but surpass the others.

The New York Times - Sports

Fuel cell systems must not only be thermodynamically efficient, but cost competitive as well.

Energy Conversion and Management

People must not only be protected from life-threatening hazards, but they should also be nurtured.

InfoSecurity 2008 Threat Analysis

A radome must not only withstand various forces during operation, but also provide a window for electromagnetic signals.

Composites Part B: Engineering

But trust must not only be earned, it must be retained.

The New York Times

To succeed there, it must not only beat WhatsApp and other rivals.

The Economist

We must not only punish traitors, but all people who are not enthusiastic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must not only", ensure a clear and logical connection between the two actions or requirements being linked. The second part of the statement (introduced by "but also") should provide a meaningful addition or expansion to the first.

Common error

Avoid grammatical imbalance when using "must not only... but also". Ensure that the elements following "not only" and "but also" are grammatically parallel (e.g., both verbs, both noun phrases, etc.) to maintain clarity and avoid awkward phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, indicating that two actions or conditions are linked and both are necessary. As Ludwig AI indicates, it introduces a dual requirement, emphasizing that something more is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must not only" is a versatile correlative conjunction used to emphasize dual requirements or actions across various contexts. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to highlight that one action is insufficient and an additional action is needed. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and academic sources, requiring attention to grammatical parallelism for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one must also

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the additional requirement.

needs to also

Directly indicates the requirement for an additional action.

not only is it necessary to

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the necessity of the first action.

have to also

Similar to "needs to also", but slightly more informal.

it's not enough to simply

This phrase directly contrasts with doing only one thing, highlighting the need for additional action.

it's essential to also

Highlights the necessity of the second action in addition to the first.

it is imperative to also

Emphasizes the importance of both actions.

more than just

Highlights that something extra is needed.

in addition to

Focuses on the additive aspect of the requirement.

should also

A slightly weaker but still valid alternative, implying a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

FAQs

How to use "must not only" in a sentence?

Use "must not only" to emphasize that something has more than one requirement or action. For example, "Students "must not only" attend classes, but also complete assignments."

What can I say instead of "must not only"?

You can use alternatives like "one must also", "it is imperative to also", or "needs to also" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "must not only" or "must only"?

"Must only" indicates a singular requirement, while ""must not only"" introduces a dual requirement, highlighting that something more is needed in addition to the first action.

What's the difference between "must not only" and "should not only"?

"Must not only" indicates a necessary condition, whereas "should not only" implies a recommendation or suggestion.