not only just

USAGE SUMMARY

"not only just" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when you want to emphasize something is not just one thing, but possibly two or more. For example: "He was not only just a great basketball player, but an excellent coach too."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only just defensively, but this entire team.

The New York Times

It is now apparent that RNA molecules are not only just carriers of genetic information but also key players in many cellular processes.

Journal of Molecular Biology

However, our study indicated that one has to consider not only just the particle size difference but also the interaction between aspirin and excipients.

Powder Technology

The New Yorker, October 23 , 1989P. 66 It's not only just beginning to be unwarm.

The New Yorker

This is what I was saying today about the fact that the journey is not only just an intellectual journey.

Yale University

And it has to do with not only just the receptive field, but also what's in the surround.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"We not only just weathered a storm, we took the heat and put it on them".

The New York Times - Sports

Statistically, not only just in Connecticut and across the country, hate crimes are conducted by individuals or small groups.

The New York Times

By Elizabeth Macklin The New Yorker, October 23 , 1989P. 66 It's not only just beginning to be unwarm.

The New Yorker

Not only just because of the intensity, just the manpower in what we have or don't have".

The New York Times - Sports

One of the most interesting findings to me is how the stall measurements differ, not only just from barn to barn, but sometimes even on the same farm!

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that whatever you're introducing with "not only just" is followed by a 'but also' clause in order to make the sentence complete and grammatically correct.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "not only just" too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Try varying your sentence structure and using synonyms like "more than just" or "not merely" for a smoother read.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only just" functions as a correlative conjunction, connecting two related ideas while emphasizing the second. Ludwig AI validates its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not only just" serves as a correlative conjunction, adding emphasis and expansion to descriptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating that "not only just" is usable in written English when the goal is to emphasize that something is not merely one thing. Analysis reveals that this phrase is frequently employed in News & Media, Science, and Academia. For those seeking variety, alternatives such as "not merely" or "not just" provide concise options. While overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons, "not only just" remains a valid and frequently encountered expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

not only

A reduced form that retains the core meaning of expansion.

not merely

Omits "only just", offering a more concise way to express addition.

not simply

Similar to "not merely", it provides a less verbose alternative.

not solely

Emphasizes exclusivity in what is negated.

not exclusively

Highlights that something is not limited to the mentioned aspect.

more than just

Emphasizes that something surpasses a simple or basic definition.

but also

Highlights the additional element without negating the first.

as well as

Indicates an inclusion of another element.

in addition to

Focuses on adding information rather than negating a limitation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "not only just" is used to emphasize that something is more than what it seems. For example: "He's "not only just" a talented musician, but also a skilled writer."

What are some alternatives to "not only just"?

You can use alternatives such as "not merely", "not simply", or "not only depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "not only just"?

Some might find the phrase a bit wordy, but it's grammatically correct. If you want to be more concise, "not only" or "not just" are good alternatives.

What part of speech is "not only just"?

The phrase "not only just" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting and emphasizing different aspects of a subject. It highlights that something is not limited to one attribute.