not only because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only because" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate a further explanation of something. For example: I enjoy running marathons, not only because it keeps me in shape, but also because it's a great way to challenge myself.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Common sense principles are common sense because, but not only because, they are common to humanity.

SEP

"Not only because of that, anyway.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Not only because we beat Bayern Munich.

The Guardian - Sport

"Not only because I was in it.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not only because the talks are stalled.

The Economist

And not only because we can see the puppeteers.

The New Yorker

It is not only because Japan played in Saturday's semifinals.

The New York Times - Sports

And that is not only because its population is shrinking.

The Economist

Record sales are in decline not only because of piracy.

The Economist

This is not only because of its size.

The Economist

But they are doing this not only because you're interesting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only because", ensure you follow it with "but also" to create a balanced and complete explanation. For example, "The project failed not only because of poor planning, but also because of inadequate resources."

Common error

Avoid using "not only because" without completing the structure with a corresponding "but also" clause. Omitting the "but also" can leave the sentence unfinished and unclear. Instead of saying, "The event was successful not only because of the marketing", complete the thought: "The event was successful not only because of the marketing, but also because of the engaging content."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only because" functions as a causal conjunction, introducing one reason among potentially many that explain a particular situation or outcome. This construction is used to present a nuanced explanation, indicating that the cause is multifaceted. Ludwig examples confirm its use in providing further explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not only because" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce one of several reasons for a particular situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most effective when paired with "but also" to present a balanced explanation. It is frequently seen in news, scientific writing, and business contexts. When using "not only because", avoid the common error of omitting the "but also" clause. For alternative phrasing, you can consider ""not solely due to"" or ""partly due to"" to add nuance to your writing. The phrase is useful for demonstrating complex causality and avoiding oversimplification of explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not exclusively as a result of

Highlights that other factors also played a role in the outcome.

not solely due to

Emphasizes that the reason is not exclusively attributable to the stated cause.

not just because of

A more informal way of saying that something else is also a factor.

not least because

Highlights the stated reason as a significant contributing factor.

not merely on account of

Suggests the reason is more significant than just the stated factor.

not simply from

Suggests the cause is more complex than initially apparent.

partly due to

Indicates the stated reason is one of several contributing factors.

in part because

Indicates a partial reason for something.

among other reasons

Implicates other reasons without specifically mentioning them.

also considering that

Adds another reason to the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "not only because" in a sentence?

The phrase "not only because" introduces one of multiple reasons for something. Always pair it with "but also" to complete the structure and provide the additional reasons. For example: "The movie was praised "not only because" of its stunning visuals, but also because of its compelling storyline."

What are some alternatives to "not only because"?

You can use alternatives such as "not solely due to", "partly due to", or "not exclusively as a result of" to convey a similar meaning while varying your sentence structure.

What's the difference between "not only because" and "not just because"?

"Not only because" emphasizes that there are multiple significant reasons, while "not just because" ("not just because") implies that the given reason is insufficient on its own and may downplay its importance relative to other factors. The former is generally more formal and emphatic.

Is it grammatically correct to omit "but also" after using "not only because"?

While it might be understood in informal contexts, omitting "but also" after "not only because" is grammatically incomplete and can make your writing sound less polished. It's best to always include it for clarity and completeness.