not only could i

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only could I" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement expressing something that you can do, usually followed by, but also something else. For example: "Not only could I speak three languages, but I was also able to learn the fourth one in a short period of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only could I account for every single day in 1988, so could my mother.

Independent

Not only could I groove, but I was a good musician.

The Guardian - Music

Not only could I borrow it, they said; I could have it.

The New York Times

Not only could I not tell white people apart but I often got lost trying to find my classroom.

The New Yorker

Not only could I put myself in the other person's place but I could not avoid doing so.

The New Yorker

Not only could I see with vastly greater granularity than normal, I had time to ponder what I saw.

The New Yorker

Not only could I imagine a Republican in my neighborhood, I could imagine one in my bed.

The New York Times

Not only could I get closer to Julia, but I could also get closer to Mr. Latte.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Not only could I hear him, I could see him and knew who it was," Bailey said.

The New York Times - Sports

Knocking my forehead in disgust, I realized that not only could I have had a V8, I could have saved myself money, too.

Stanford University

Not only could I visualize exactly where she was, but the image was also emblematic of what I was encountering across the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only could I", ensure that the second part of the statement (introduced by "but also") provides a clear and significant addition or consequence. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "but also" after "not only could I". While sometimes implied, its explicit inclusion ensures clarity and avoids a sense of incompleteness in your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only could I" functions as a part of a correlative conjunction, emphasizing two related abilities or possibilities. It sets up a compound statement, as evidenced by Ludwig, where the second part, introduced by "but also", adds further information. For example, "Not only could I sing, but I also played the guitar".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not only could I" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize dual abilities or possibilities, often followed by "but also" to add further detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, with significant presence in academic writing, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication scenarios. Remember to include the "but also" clause for clarity and impact, and ensure the second part of the statement adds substantial value. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively utilize "not only could I" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was not only able to

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize ability, using "was able" instead of "could".

i was capable of not just

Emphasizes capability and uses "not just" instead of "not only".

i had the ability not only to

Highlights the possession of an ability, adding formality.

it wasn't just that i could

Inverts the structure to emphasize what wasn't just the case.

i not only had the power to

Substitutes "could" with "had the power to", stressing empowerment.

i was empowered not only to

Highlights empowerment to perform an action, focusing on agency.

i found myself able not only to

Emphasizes a discovery of ability.

i was in a position not only to

Highlights the situation or circumstances allowing the action.

not only did i have the option to

Focuses on the availability of an option or choice.

it wasn't only possible for me to

Rephrases to emphasize possibility, adding distance and formality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not only could I"?

You can use alternatives like "I was not only able to", "I was capable of not just", or "It wasn't just that I could" depending on the context.

Is it incorrect to omit "but also" after "not only could I"?

While sometimes understandable, omitting "but also" can make the sentence feel incomplete or less impactful. It's generally best to include it for clarity.

What is the difference between "not only could I" and "not only was I able to"?

"Not only could I" implies a general ability or possibility, while "not only was I "able to"" suggests a specific instance or achievement.

How to ensure that the phrase "not only could I" is used correctly?

Make sure the second part of the statement, following "but also", adds something significant. For example, "Not only could I speak French, but I also understood the culture."