they not only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they not only" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a contrasting idea. For example, "They not only smiled but also laughed heartily at the joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They not only saw the shows.

The Guardian

They not only beat the Tigers, they dominated them.

The New York Times

They not only recognise the importance of profits and incentives.

The Economist

They not only bring flavour but texture to dishes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They not only expected them but also produced them.

The New York Times - Magazine

They not only stated problems but formulated them correctly.

The New Yorker

"They not only broke public trust, but also violated it".

The New York Times

They not only consume media, but make their own content.

The Guardian

They not only pay us but they also thank us".

The New York Times - Books

They not only lose prospective middle-class customers but may face long waits for services.

The New York Times

They not only gave me knowledge but also, more importantly, a different perspective about the world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they not only", ensure a parallel structure is maintained in the subsequent clause. For example, "They not only fixed the car, but also washed it."

Common error

Avoid creating an imbalance in parallel structure after "they not only". Ensure that the grammatical form following "not only" matches the form that follows "but also". For example, avoid "They not only have talent, but are also hardworking" and use "They not only have talent, but also have a strong work ethic" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they not only" functions as a correlative conjunction introductory element, setting up a comparison or addition. It introduces the first part of a two-part structure completed by "but also", emphasizing that something has multiple aspects or consequences. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they not only" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce one element in a series, which is then completed with "but also". Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across diverse fields, including news, science, and formal business. When using this phrase, ensure that the parallel structure is maintained for clarity and grammatical accuracy. The phrase serves to expand upon an idea, emphasizing multiple related points. It's a versatile tool suitable for neutral to formal contexts, enhancing communication by providing comprehensive information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they do not just

Replaces "not only" with "do not just", emphasizing a simple addition.

they don't simply

Substitutes "not only" with "don't simply", suggesting a lack of complexity.

they do more than

Replaces "not only" emphasizing that the subjects action exceeds expectations.

they also

Replaces "not only" with "also", removing the initial restrictive implication.

in addition to this, they

Adds the phrase "in addition to this" to the beginning to explicitly signal the additive relationship.

furthermore, they

Begins the sentence with "furthermore", indicating an additional point that supports the previous one.

moreover, they

Similar to 'furthermore', "moreover" introduces an additional and compelling point.

they even

Replaces "not only" with "even", which suggests that the second action is more surprising than the first.

not just do they

Rephrases the sentence to begin with "not just", changing the word order for emphasis.

on top of that, they

Adds the phrase "on top of that" to highlight that something is being added as an extra to the current point.

FAQs

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

Use "they not only" to introduce one item in a series, and connect it with "but also" to introduce the subsequent item. For example, "They not only invested money, but also time into the project".

What are some alternatives to "they not only"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they do more than", "they also", or "in addition to this, they", depending on the context.

How does "they not only" differ from "they just"?

"They not only" introduces two or more related items or ideas. "They just" typically limits the focus to a single action or state. For example, "They not only studied hard, but also sought help from their teachers" versus "They just started studying."

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

Yes, "they not only" is a grammatically correct phrase when used to introduce the first part of a correlative conjunction with "but also". The examples provided by Ludwig confirm its consistent and proper usage in various contexts.