need not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"need not only" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that something requires more than one thing in order to be successful or fulfilled. For example, "The project needs not only hard work but also innovation to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Exhibitions need not only take place in galleries, need not only involve displaying objects.

The Guardian - Arts

But that faith need not only be self-righteous.

The New York Times - Arts

We riders need not only speed but also sanity.

The New York Times

"We need not only Gingrich supporters," he said.

The New York Times

Fourth, American support need not only mean direct talks.

The New York Times

Candidates need not only mobilise their own votes, but to appeal to a majority of voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

These children need not only love, but also care and often therapy.

The Guardian

Many need not only food, but also seed and fertilizer to plant this season.

The New York Times

We need not only their financial help — we also need their experience".

The New Yorker

And for that, we need not only to celebrate farmers, but also to advocate for them.

The New York Times

"They urgently need not only medical care but food and a place to live.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need not only", ensure that the 'but also' component clearly outlines the additional requirements. This helps to create a balanced and informative statement.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "need not only" without explicitly stating the additional element with a 'but also' clause. This can leave the sentence incomplete and unclear. Always follow "need not only" with a corresponding 'but also' to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need not only" functions as a part of a correlative conjunction. It introduces the first element in a pair of requirements, setting up an expectation for the second element, which is typically introduced by 'but also'. As Ludwig AI says, it expresses that something requires more than one thing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, indicating that more than one element is necessary. It is frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, with a neutral register. A key best practice is to always include the 'but also' component for clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase its versatility in expressing the need for multiple factors to achieve a desired outcome. Therefore, ensure that when using "need not only", you clearly articulate both the primary and secondary requirements for a well-rounded statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires more than just

Emphasizes that the requirement goes beyond a single element, similar to "need not only".

demands not just

Highlights the necessity of multiple elements rather than a singular one.

necessitates not merely

Uses "necessitates" to convey a stronger sense of requirement, replacing "need".

entails more than simply

Shifts the focus to what is involved beyond a basic aspect.

involves not solely

Indicates that the situation is not limited to one aspect but includes others.

is not just a matter of

Reframes the requirement as more complex than a single issue.

goes beyond merely

Stresses that the topic extends past a simple explanation or solution.

extends beyond just

Similar to 'goes beyond', but highlights the scope of what's needed.

requires a combination of

Focuses on the idea that multiple things are needed, but expresses it in an active way.

depends on more than only

Highlights the multiple dependencies required for success, changing the passive voice.

FAQs

How do I use "need not only" in a sentence?

The phrase "need not only" is used to indicate that more than one thing is necessary. It is always followed by "but also" to introduce the additional requirements. For example, "The project "need not only" funding but also skilled personnel to succeed."

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

You can use alternatives like "requires more than just", "demands not just", or "necessitates not merely" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "need not only but also"?

Yes, the structure "need not only... but also..." is grammatically correct. It is a correlative conjunction that connects two related ideas, indicating that both are required or important.

What's the difference between "need not only" and "only need"?

"Need not only" emphasizes the necessity of multiple elements, while "only need" emphasizes that nothing else is required besides the mentioned element. For instance, "We "need not only" money but also time" means both are necessary. "We "only need" money" means nothing else is required.