not only does it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only does it" is a valid construction in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something does not only have one specific quality or effect. For example: "I love my new car - not only does it look great, but it also gets amazing gas mileage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Not only does it not chew its cud, it doesn't have a split hoof".

The New York Times

Not only does it defecate through its anal opening, it breathes through it too.

BBC

Not only does it own unique mechanical properties, its biocompatibility has been shown already in vivo.

Plosone

Not only does it seem like the government isn't fulfilling its duties under the act.

Vice

Not only does it lack coherent supervision.

The Economist

Not only does it cover some big and important states.

The Economist

Not only does it remain: it thrives; it grows.

The New Yorker

"Not only does it provide crucial post-Sept.

The New York Times

Not only does it not work, it creates an unpleasant mood in the house.

University of California, Berkeley

Not only does it protect you, it protects everyone who does business with Weill Cornell.

Cornell University

Not only does it reproduce the statistics without obvious bias, it has been validated using the Generalized structure function.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not only does it" to introduce a statement highlighting multiple benefits, qualities, or effects of a subject. It's best when you wish to emphasize more than one aspect.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "but also" clause after using "not only does it". The phrase is intended to present two connected pieces of information; omitting the second part weakens the statement and makes it grammatically incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only does it" functions as an emphatic introductory phrase that inverts the typical subject-verb order for emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically valid and commonly used to highlight multiple aspects or consequences of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not only does it" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize multiple benefits or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears frequently in wikis and scientific articles. To use it effectively, always follow it with a "but also" clause to fully convey the intended meaning. While grammatically sound, remember that omitting the "but also" portion can weaken your statement. With careful attention to context and structure, you can confidently use this phrase to add emphasis and depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it not only does

Reverses the word order to place emphasis on the 'it' being described.

it does not only

Shifts focus slightly by placing 'does' after 'not only'.

it not just does

Replaces "only" with "just" to provide a less formal alternative.

it also

A shortened version focusing on the additional aspect, omitting the initial emphasis.

in addition to that

Expresses an additive relationship, though without the initial surprise.

furthermore

A more formal way to introduce an additional point, losing the initial focus.

moreover

Similar to 'furthermore', it adds another point, but not in the same emphatic manner.

besides

Indicates an additional reason or aspect, but without the structured emphasis.

as well as that

Similar to 'in addition to that', it is a direct additive phrase.

on top of that

An informal way of adding another point, reducing formality.

FAQs

How to use "not only does it" in a sentence?

The phrase "not only does it" introduces a statement that highlights multiple qualities or effects. For example: "Not only does it look beautiful, it tastes beautiful."

What can I say instead of "not only does it"?

You can use alternatives like "it also", "in addition to that", or "furthermore" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not only does it" or "it not only does"?

"Not only does it" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing when introducing an inverted sentence structure for emphasis. "It not only does" is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "not only does it" and "it also"?

"Not only does it" introduces an element of surprise or added emphasis before providing multiple pieces of information. "It also" simply adds another piece of information without the same level of initial emphasis.