not one but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not one but" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that there is more than one of something, often in a surprising or noteworthy context. Example: "The event featured not one but three renowned speakers, each with a unique perspective on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Owens eliminated not one, but two Steelers on the play.

Los Angeles Times

Not one, but two".

The New York Times

"Medicine is not one but diverse".

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health

As such, there is not one but several AIS algorithms.

Procedia Computer Science

Not one but two deadly poisons here.

The Guardian

Cephalopods have not one but three hearts.

Britannica

Not one, but a sea of them!

The New York Times

Tom: Not one, but 86 glow sticks.

The Guardian - Music

She has not one, but two juicers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not one, but five families were devastated.

The New York Times

Christmas is not one, but many meals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not one but" to create emphasis or surprise, highlighting a quantity greater than expected. For example, "The study revealed not one but several significant findings."

Common error

While effective for emphasis, "not one but" can sound informal or repetitive in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "more than one" or "several" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not one but" serves as a connector and emphasizer. It introduces a surprising or notable quantity, indicating that there is more than just a single instance of something. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its versatile use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not one but" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is often employed to emphasize a quantity greater than one, creating a sense of surprise or significance. While versatile, it is most common in news and media contexts, but less prevalent in formal academic or scientific writing where more precise language is favored. When aiming to highlight an unexpected or notable quantity, "not one but" serves as an effective and clear choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just one but

Replaces "one" with "just one" for slightly more emphasis on the initial inadequacy.

not only one but

Emphasizes that there's more than just the initial expectation.

not simply one but

Similar to "not just one but", adding a subtle nuance of simplicity being insufficient.

not merely one but

Like "not just one but", but with a more formal tone.

but rather two

Focuses on the alternative number, shifting the emphasis from negating one to affirming two.

at least two

Highlights the minimum quantity, implying there might be more.

more than one

A straightforward alternative that directly states a quantity greater than one.

a couple of

Specifically indicates two, suitable when the exact number is known and is two.

several

Indicates more than two but an indefinite quantity, suitable when the exact number is unknown or unimportant.

a few

Suggests a small, indefinite number greater than one.

FAQs

How can I use "not one but" in a sentence?

Use "not one but" to emphasize a quantity greater than expected. For example, "The project required "not one but" three different programming languages."

What are some alternatives to "not one but"?

Alternatives include "more than one", "several", or "at least two" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "not one but"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to emphasize a number greater than one.

When is it appropriate to use "not one but" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "not one but" when you want to highlight or emphasize that there is more than just one of something, often in a surprising or unexpected way.