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TeacherJapan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Are they both common enough?

I'd like to know how to use not A but B structure. Are one as common as the other?

1) Most of the bookstores don't sell newly published books but used ones.

2) Most of the bookstores sell not newly published books but used ones.
  

Top answer

#2 seems awkward because I expect a different pattern. 2) Most of the bookstores sell not only newly published books but used ones.

— AlpheccaStars

  • #2 seems awkward because I expect a different pattern.
  • 2) Most of the bookstores sell not only newly published books but used ones.
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5 Answers
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#2 seems awkward because I expect a different pattern.

2) Most of the bookstores sell not only newly published books but used ones.
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Hmm ... for me, (2) seems correct for formal English.
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teacherJapanI'd like to know how to use the "not A but B" structure. Are Is one as common as the other?
Your first example is the more common one.

CJ
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I see! Thank you very much, everyone :-)
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Oh, and thank you again for the correction, Clive.
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