Grammar Kerfuffles: Using “not only…but also” construction

Grammar Kerfuffles: Third Installment

(View the other installments here)

 

As I edit drafts of our grant narratives, I enjoy seeing effective use of the “not only…but also” construction from time to time. 

 

“Not only…but also” connotes a dual outcome, emphasizing another level of benefits (or impact or needs, etc.) that surprise the reader beyond what they anticipated. It adds powerful emphasis. It can feel slightly poetic.

 

On the other hand, I also note that one of the popular grammar checkers does not always concur with that phrasing. I tend to decline its suggestions for blander wording, though, because “not only…but also” has its place in storytelling.

 

Why do you suppose that the default suggestion sometimes is to replace that construction with an ordinary “and”?

 

Some illustrative examples:

 

Our grammar checker is okay with these two:

 

“I’m not only confused by the inconsistency but also curious.”

 

“Grammar checkers are not only helpful but also artificially intelligent.”

 

Our grammar checker recommends editing these two (suggesting “and” instead):

 

“This funding will not only help to establish more services for people in need, but also create those services more equitably.”

 

“This essential training is proven to help your team not only manage adversity but also thrive.”

 

The grammar checker generally doesn’t object to simple “not only… but also” construction–e.g., using one-word adjectives. But the above examples might clarify that the checker suggests a rewrite when the sentence is longer. The concern might be that the hurrying reader will have lost track of the “not only” by the time they finally arrive at the “but also.”

 

But maybe the grammar checker doesn’t give readers enough credit. It is thinking of the lowest common denominator for all types of writing, perhaps. 

 

On the whole, I suggest that the benefit of emphasis outweighs the risk when using this construction. When you include it in a draft, be sure to do so thoughtfully, and then re-read the sentence to ensure that the meaning is quite clear after one read-through. For extra certainty, ask someone else to read it. I say, harness the power. Think of it as strategic.

 

What do you think of this construction and its use in your proposals versus what a grammar tool may suggest? We’d love to hear. Let us know your approach in the comments.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *