not only were

USAGE SUMMARY

"not only were" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce an additional idea that is in addition to what you have already said. For example, "Not only were the people friendly, but the food was also excellent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only were they portrayed as unbelievers.

The Economist

But not only were there no results.

The Guardian - Opinion

And not only were the kicks missed.

The Guardian - Sport

Not only were we inept, we were humdrum too.

The Guardian - Sport

Not only were you my partner, but my best friend.

The New York Times

"Not only were they committed to integration, they lived it".

The New York Times

Not only were they unseeded, they were wild cards.

The Guardian - Sport

Not only were the first-quarter figures bad.

The Economist

Not only were Arabs the first to make spirits.

The Economist

Not only were they wrong, they were offensive".

The New York Times

Not only were there women there, they were in prominent positions, and with prominent voices.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not only were", ensure you follow it with "but also" to create a balanced and complete structure. For example, "Not only were they skilled, but they were also dedicated."

Common error

Avoid using "not only were" without completing the structure with a "but also" clause. Omitting this creates an incomplete and grammatically incorrect sentence. For example, instead of "Not only were they skilled," say "Not only were they skilled, but they were also dedicated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not only were" functions as a correlative conjunction, introducing a clause that presents one fact or characteristic, which is then followed by another, often linked with "but also". Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not only were" is a correct and frequently used correlative conjunction that introduces a clause followed by "but also" to present multiple, related aspects of a subject. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears most often in news and academic contexts. When writing, remember to complete the structure with "but also" to avoid grammatical errors and ensure a balanced presentation of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just were

This alternative shortens the phrase while retaining the original meaning.

they were also

A simpler way to add an additional piece of information or characteristic.

it wasn't just that they were

This highlights that there's more to the situation than initially stated.

in addition to being

This alternative emphasizes the additive nature of the statement, highlighting an additional quality or state.

additionally, they were

Directly adds another piece of information.

as well as being

Focuses on adding another characteristic or state to the subject.

besides the fact that they were

This option explicitly states that what follows is in addition to a previously mentioned fact.

moreover they were

Introduces an additional point with an emphasis on its importance.

furthermore, they were

Similar to 'moreover', this adds another point in a formal tone.

on top of being

This emphasizes that something is added to an existing condition.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "not only were" in a sentence?

The phrase "not only were" introduces the first part of a two-part structure. It should always be followed by "but also" to complete the thought. For example, "Not only were the students intelligent, but they also worked very hard."

What are some alternatives to "not only were"?

You can use alternatives such as "in addition to being", "besides the fact that they were", or simply "they were also" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "not only were"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "not only were", but it requires inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb. The sentence must also include the "but also" clause to be complete and grammatically correct. For example, "Not only were they prepared, but they also had a backup plan."

What's the difference between "not only were" and "not just were"?

"Not only were" and "not just were" are very similar in meaning and usage. Both introduce an additional element or characteristic. "Not only were" is slightly more formal and commonly used in writing.