Learn English – the proper usage of “not only… but also”

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I'm trying to figure out how to use "not only… but also" properly. Basically, my goal is to combine two clauses by using "not only".

For negations, I've figured out two styles that both sound correct:

  • He knew that if he fractures his finger, not only would he not be able to compete in the water polo tournament, he would not be able to take the SAT on Monday, either.
  • He knew that if he fractures his finger, neither would he be able to compete in the water polo tournament, nor would he be able to take the SAT on Monday.

However, I don't know how to form a sentence that does not include a negation while using "not only". Here are a few possibilities that I've considered:

  • Thanks to his remarkable performance on the SAT, not only was he accepted into Harvard, but he was also given a full scholarship.
  • Thanks to his remarkable performance on the SAT, not only was he accepted into Harvard, but he was given a full scholarship.
  • Thanks to his remarkable performance on the SAT, not only was he accepted into Harvard, he was given a full scholarship.
  • Thanks to his remarkable performance on the SAT, not only was he accepted into Harvard, he was also given a full scholarship.

In those four possibilities, I'm varying the usage of "but" and "also" in the last clause.

What is the proper usage of "not only"?

Best Answer

In the bottom one, this is how I would form it:

Thanks to his remarkable performance on the SAT, he was not only accepted into Harvard, but also given a full scholarship.

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