should not only

USAGE SUMMARY

'should not only' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to suggest that there is more than one action that needs to be taken in order to achieve a desired result. For example, "We should not only invest more in renewable energy sources, but also create more incentives for people to use them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Brazil should not only apologise.

The Guardian

This should not only taste good, but look festive too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But "value" should not only reflect monetary considerations.

The Guardian

Standing out should not only rely on price".

The Guardian

Standing out should not only rely on propaganda".

The Guardian

We should not only be concerned about peddling virgins.

The New York Times

"We should not only be intent on losing weight.

Independent

However, DNA should not only be viewed within a biological context.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

Therefore models should not only represent the measurand but also its environment.

Measurement

Participation is a right and should not only be evaluated in terms of effectiveness and impact.

Journal of Adolescent Health

However, in many applications the resulting grasps should not only be stable but also applicable for a particular task.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should not only", ensure that the sentence clearly outlines the additional actions or considerations that are necessary. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the overall message.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "should not only" without completing the thought with a "but also" clause. Always ensure that the sentence structure includes both parts to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, connecting two or more related ideas while emphasizing that one aspect is insufficient without the other. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct way to suggest that multiple actions are necessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should not only" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that a single action or consideration is insufficient, and that additional steps are necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and effective in written English. It's particularly common in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, where a nuanced and comprehensive approach is often required. Remember to complete the thought with a "but also" clause to ensure clarity and avoid a common pitfall. Alternatives such as "should not just" or "need to also" can provide slight variations in emphasis or tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not just

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly simplifying the tone while retaining the core meaning.

should not simply

Replaces "only" with "simply", suggesting that the action is not as straightforward as it seems.

should not merely

Substitutes "only" with "merely", implying a sense of inadequacy if only that action is taken.

must not only

Replaces "should" with "must", strengthening the obligation or necessity of the statement.

ought not only

Replaces "should" with "ought", introducing a sense of moral obligation.

need to also

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the necessity of an additional action.

have to also

Similar to "need to also", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on obligation.

is not enough to only

Expresses the idea by explicitly stating that the initial action is insufficient on its own.

requires more than just

Highlights the necessity of going beyond a single action or consideration.

should also consider

Shifts the focus to the importance of taking additional factors into account.

FAQs

How to use "should not only" in a sentence?

The phrase "should not only" is used to indicate that something requires more than one action or consideration. For example, "We should not only focus on short-term profits, but also invest in long-term sustainability".

What can I say instead of "should not only"?

You can use alternatives like "should not just", "should not simply", or "need to also" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "should not only"?

Yes, "should not only" is grammatically correct, but it must be followed by "but also" to complete the thought and express the intended meaning.

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

"Should not only" implies that the initial action is insufficient on its own, while "should also" simply adds an additional recommendation without necessarily implying the inadequacy of the first action.