not only being

USAGE SUMMARY

"not only being" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that there are multiple reasons or factors related to a particular situation or event. For example: "The success of the project was largely due to not only being well-planned, but also having a committed team of employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because it is not only being more focused.

Independent

Charity Navigator is not only being courageous, it's being smart.

Harvard Business Review

But the humanities are not only being bulldozed by an unforgiving job market.

The New York Times

World leaders gathering in New York are not only being vague about their climate policies.

The Economist

Autonomous Marine Vehicles (AMVs) are not only being required to carry out more complex tasks but also longer missions.

Ocean Engineering

The Jets are not only being beaten at their own game, they are getting annihilated.

The New York Times

Challenges to the executions are not only being brought by the inmates.

The Washington Post

That will mean not only being active investors but also behaving more like activist investors.

Harvard Business Review

"It's not only being a good team yourself, it's the schedule, too," Edwards said.

The New York Times - Sports

The survey found that the cuts were not only being made in areas deemed non-urgent.

The Guardian

Now imagine not only being able to bear it, but welcoming it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not only being" to effectively highlight multiple aspects or roles of a subject, ensuring you follow it with "but also" to complete the correlative conjunction and provide the additional information.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "but also" that completes the "not only being" structure. This can lead to grammatically incomplete sentences and unclear meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only being" functions as a correlative conjunction phrase, specifically introducing the first element of a compound statement. It sets up the expectation that another, related element will follow, typically connected by "but also". Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to emphasize multiple simultaneous aspects or characteristics of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "not only being" serves as a versatile tool for emphasizing multiple attributes or simultaneous actions. This correlative conjunction, requiring a subsequent "but also", appears frequently across various domains, from news and media to scientific literature. While grammatically correct, the key to effective usage lies in ensuring the structure is complete and the additional information is clearly articulated. Alternatives like "not just being" and "besides being" offer subtle variations in emphasis, yet the core purpose remains: highlighting multifaceted characteristics. Mastering "not only being" empowers writers to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just being

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly reducing the emphasis on exclusivity.

not merely being

Substitutes "only" with "merely", implying a sense of inadequacy or simplicity.

not simply being

Replaces "only" with "simply", suggesting a lack of complexity.

not solely being

Uses "solely" instead of "only", highlighting the absence of other factors.

not exclusively being

Replaces "only" with "exclusively", stressing that something is not limited to a single aspect.

in addition to being

Expresses the idea of something having multiple attributes using a more explicit additive structure.

besides being

Indicates that something has another quality in addition to the one mentioned.

as well as being

Highlights that something has an additional quality or state.

beyond simply being

Suggests that something surpasses a basic level of existence or quality.

over and above being

Implies that something possesses qualities that exceed a baseline expectation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "not only being" introduces the first part of a two-part statement, emphasizing that something has more than one attribute or characteristic. Follow it with "but also" to complete the structure. For example: "He is "not only being" helpful, but also very efficient."

What phrases are similar to "not only being"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not just being", "besides being", or "as well as being", which all emphasize multiple qualities or aspects of a subject.

Is it correct to say "not only being" without a "but also"?

While understandable, it is grammatically incomplete. The phrase "not only being" requires a corresponding "but also" to complete the correlative conjunction. Omitting it can create ambiguity and weaken the intended emphasis.

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

"Not only being" highlights multiple characteristics, while "just being" suggests simplicity or a lack of additional qualities. For instance, ""not only being" intelligent but also kind" emphasizes two positive attributes, whereas "just being kind" implies kindness may be the only notable quality.