not only but especially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only but especially" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to emphasize something that is of particular importance or to compare multiple items. For example, "I enjoy going to the beach not only for the sun and sand, but especially for the ability to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Senior UK officials admit that big savings cannot be made there, but emphasise that the issue is "very symbolic" not only, but especially, in Britain.

The Guardian

A further complication, not only but especially in the medical domain, is the general difficulty with standardization in the light of genericity of the standard and specificity of the application scenario.

Brain Informatics

For many years now, I've endured conversations with my fellow Americans in which they marvel at my willingness to spend time in countries they consider dangerous, not only but especially Pakistan.

Huffington Post

The same with the shirt: A boy should always tuck in his shirt, not only (but especially) at a wedding.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We are deeply worried about the shortfall in funding, not only now but especially in April with the introduction of the national living wage," said Bridget Warr, the chief executive of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, who chaired the group of experts that drew up the guideline.

The Guardian

We observed that not only proliferation but especially differentiation of adipose tissue stem cells was stimulated in the presence of serum from both prolonged lean and overweight/obese patients.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

On the other hand, serum from critically ill patients had a clear adipogenic potential, as not only proliferation but especially differentiation of adipose tissue stem cells to mature adipocytes was stimulated in the presence of serum from both lean and overweight/obese prolonged critically ill patients.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

In the end, Flores is an inspiration to not only women, but especially to Latina women, who will be given a more positive, forward moving presence.

Huffington Post

The film is set during a time where racial segregation, sexual segregation and educational segregation posed great hindrances to not only women, but especially to women of color.

Huffington Post

Such series not only provide especially deep reporting, but their presence also shows the subject is a high priority.

The New York Times

Party leaders tried to persuade some members to drop out, warning that a crowded primary would not only be especially divisive but would also waste money and political energy that could better be applied elsewhere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not only but especially" to highlight a particular aspect or element that is more important or relevant than others in a given context. This helps to emphasize key points and guide the reader's focus.

Common error

Avoid using "not only but especially" excessively in your writing. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use alternative emphasizing techniques.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only but especially" functions as a correlative conjunction to connect two related elements, while placing greater emphasis on the second element. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's designed to highlight something as particularly significant compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not only but especially" is a correct and useful conjunction phrase for emphasizing a particular element over others. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in written English to highlight what is most important in a given context. While it appears most frequently in news and media, and scientific writing, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various audiences. To maximize its impact, use it judiciously to draw attention to key details and consider diversifying your emphasizing techniques to avoid repetition. Remember that this construction aims at highlighting what matters most in your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just but particularly

Replaces "only" with "just" and "especially" with "particularly", maintaining a similar emphasis but slightly altering the tone.

not merely but notably

Substitutes "only" with "merely" and "especially" with "notably", shifting the focus to what is noteworthy.

not simply but significantly

Replaces "only" with "simply" and "especially" with "significantly", highlighting the importance of the emphasized element.

not exclusively but predominantly

Changes "only" to "exclusively" and "especially" to "predominantly", indicating a major but not singular aspect.

primarily, yet also

Uses "primarily" to convey the main focus while "yet also" acknowledges other elements.

chiefly, but with additional consideration

Emphasizes the "chief" aspect, while recognizing additional factors.

mainly, though not limited to

Highlights a main element but acknowledges it's not the only one.

above all, notably

Uses "above all" for primary emphasis and "notably" to highlight a particular aspect.

in particular, and also

Focuses on "in particular" while "and also" includes additional elements.

especially, along with

Starts with "especially" to place immediate emphasis, followed by "along with" for additional inclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "not only but especially" in a sentence?

Use "not only but especially" to emphasize a particular aspect or detail that is more important than others. For example, "The conference was valuable "not only for" networking opportunities, but "especially for" the insightful keynote speakers."

What phrases are similar to "not only but especially"?

Similar phrases include "not just but particularly", "not merely but notably", and "primarily, yet also". These alternatives offer different shades of emphasis while maintaining a similar function.

Is "not only but especially" formal or informal?

"Not only but especially" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing. It's suitable for most types of writing but consider the formality of your audience.

What is the difference between "not only but especially" and "not only but also"?

"Not only but especially" places greater emphasis on the element introduced by "especially", whereas "not only but also" treats both elements as equally important. Use "not only but especially" when you want to highlight one aspect as particularly significant.