not only well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not only well" is not correct and usable in written English as it is incomplete.
It is typically used in conjunction with "but also" to create a comparative structure, often to emphasize two positive attributes or actions. Example: "She not only sings well but also plays the piano beautifully."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Finally, benevolent hegemony presumed that the hegemon was not only well intentioned but competent as well.

The New York Times - Magazine

That warming is not only well under way, it is accelerating.

The New York Times

That was not only well beyond my abilities, it was also beyond my imagination.

The New Yorker

Yet his book is not only well built and witty but emotionally profound too.

The New York Times

Q: Why is it important to ensure that elections are not only well run and fair but demonstrably so?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The James exhibition had the distinction of being not only well received critically but enormously popular as well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's not only well-known brands that publicize their disputes.

Harvard University

It's not only well-paid professionals who can afford to work less.

The Guardian - Money

It is not only well-off households which benefit from being close to urban parks and waterways.

Landscape and Urban Planning

This book is not only well-written and easy to read but also extremely interesting and informative.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is shown that the resulting array is not only well-ordered but also a permutation of the input array.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always complete the phrase "not only well" with a "but also" clause to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. For example, use "not only well-written but also engaging".

Common error

Avoid using "not only well" without its corresponding "but also" clause. This omission leaves the sentence unfinished and unclear. Always pair "not only" with "but also" to present a balanced comparison or addition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only well" functions as part of a correlative conjunction. It introduces the first element in a pair, requiring a subsequent "but also" to complete the construction. Ludwig's analysis indicates the incompleteness of the phrase when used alone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "not only well" appears frequently, it is grammatically incomplete without the "but also" clause. Ludwig AI highlights that it serves to introduce the first of two related attributes, setting the stage for a more emphatic comparison. It is important to always complete the phrase to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Though commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its complete form is suitable for formal writing. Remember to avoid using it alone to prevent miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not simply outstandingly

Changes "well" to "outstandingly" to emphasize exceptional performance, using "simply" instead of "only" for a nuanced tone.

not solely excellently

Replaces "well" with "excellently" to highlight superior quality, swapping "only" for "solely" to emphasize the unique aspect.

not just proficiently

Replaces "well" with "proficiently" to emphasize skill, while removing "only" and replacing it with "just" for a slightly different nuance.

not simply skillfully

Changes "well" to "skillfully" to highlight expertise, using "simply" instead of "only" for a subtle shift in emphasis.

not exclusively proficiently

Replaces "well" with "proficiently" to highlight expertise, replacing "only" with "exclusively" to emphasize a single aspect.

not just successfully

Substitutes "well" with "successfully" to emphasize achievement, while replacing "only" with "just" for a more casual tone.

not solely competently

Replaces "well" with "competently" to focus on ability, swapping "only" for "solely" to emphasize exclusivity.

not exclusively effectively

Replaces "well" with "effectively" to focus on results, and "only" with "exclusively" to stress the limited nature of the initial attribute.

not merely adequately

Substitutes "well" with "adequately" to indicate a satisfactory level, using "merely" instead of "only".

not merely favorably

Changes "well" to "favorably" to focus on positive reception, using "merely" instead of "only" for a softer emphasis.

FAQs

How should I properly use "not only well" in a sentence?

The phrase "not only well" requires a "but also" clause to complete the construction. For example, instead of just saying "He performed not only well", say "He performed "not only well but also efficiently"".

What is a common mistake to avoid when using "not only well"?

A common mistake is omitting the "but also" portion of the correlative construction. This leaves the sentence incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Always ensure you include both parts, as in "She is "not only well educated but also experienced"".

Are there alternatives to using the "not only well, but also" structure?

Yes, alternatives include using phrases like "both...and", "as well as", or simply combining two descriptive adjectives or adverbs. For instance, instead of "not only well but also quickly", you could say "both quickly and well" or "well and quickly".

What's the difference between saying "not only well, but also" and "both...and"?

While both structures serve to connect two related elements, "not only...but also" often emphasizes the second element more strongly, whereas "both...and" presents the elements with equal emphasis. For example, "He is "both talented and dedicated"" gives equal weight to both qualities, while "He is not only talented but also dedicated" might subtly highlight his dedication.