this not only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this not only" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has more than one purpose or function. For example, "This not only helps to reduce waste, it also boosts efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This not only delights Catholics.

The Economist

This not only hits at Mr Bush.

The Economist

This not only increases their costs.

The Economist

They all know this, not only me".

The New York Times

I say this not only to Muslims.

The New Yorker

"A public health crisis like this not only involves Sanlu.

The New York Times

"This not only devalues science, it cheapens theology.

The New York Times

"This not only scares but actually hurts Oracle every day".

The Guardian - Tech

This not only saddened him, it challenged him.

The New Yorker

This not only the case for the Bank of England.

The Guardian - Business

I take this not only seriously, I take this personally.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this not only", ensure that the 'but also' clause provides a distinct and additional point, not merely a restatement of the first.

Common error

Avoid using dissimilar grammatical structures after "this not only" and 'but also'. For example, instead of "This not only is cost-effective but also it saves time", use "This not only saves money but also saves time" to maintain parallelism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this not only" functions as a correlative conjunction, introducing the first part of a two-part construction. It sets up an expectation for a subsequent clause introduced by "but also", highlighting two related aspects or consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this not only" is a versatile correlative conjunction used to introduce the first part of a two-part construction, with "but also" completing the pair. Its primary function is to emphasize that something has multiple aspects or consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using "this not only", ensure parallelism in the subsequent clauses and remember that the 'but also' part needs to provide an additional element not a restatement. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively leverage "this not only" to enhance clarity and depth in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this but also

Directly links the initial point with the subsequent addition, maintaining a strong connection.

not only this

Inverts the initial emphasis but retains the core meaning.

this also

Omits "not only" focusing solely on the additional aspect.

this as well as

Highlights the dual nature of the statement, emphasizing the 'as well as' component.

this in addition to

Replaces "not only" with "in addition to", changing the sentence structure.

this coupled with

Emphasizes the combined effect of multiple factors.

this too

A more concise way of indicating an additional point or effect.

this including

Replaces 'not only' with 'including', slightly alters the nuance to indicate inclusion rather than exclusivity.

this among other things

Introduces the statement as one of multiple aspects.

this plus

A simpler, more informal way to indicate an additional factor.

FAQs

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

The phrase "this not only" is used to introduce the first of two related points, with the second point introduced by "but also". For example, "This not only saves time, but also reduces costs."

What's a good alternative to using "this not only"?

Alternatives include "this also", "this as well as", or "not only this", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, ensure that the sentence structure is complete and that the "but also" clause follows logically and provides a distinct point.

What's the difference between "this not only" and "this in addition"?

"This not only" sets up an expectation of a subsequent "but also", indicating two related points. "This in addition" simply adds another point without the same level of connection or expectation of a paired clause.