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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Not only
Salaam!
Is this 'not only but also' combination right: not only are you a thief, but you're likely to have stolen from your master many times over.
b) Do we need either when we only have two words rather than two phrases. For instance: The man was right about his friend, as the latter was too obtuse to study (either) religion or philosophy. (is (either) necessary when you only have two words instead of two long phrases?).
c) I did not come here to find out whether X is dead but whether his wife can pay the rent. (obviously, it is someone speaking to someone else, but the first half is past tense and the rest is not. My gut tells me it is okay).
Regards,
Is this 'not only but also' combination right: not only are you a thief, but you're likely to have stolen from your master many times over.
b) Do we need either when we only have two words rather than two phrases. For instance: The man was right about his friend, as the latter was too obtuse to study (either) religion or philosophy. (is (either) necessary when you only have two words instead of two long phrases?).
c) I did not come here to find out whether X is dead but whether his wife can pay the rent. (obviously, it is someone speaking to someone else, but the first half is past tense and the rest is not. My gut tells me it is okay).
Regards,
Top answer
Salaam! Anonymous Not only are you a thief, but you're likely to have stolen from your master many times over. Yes, it's fine.
- Salaam!
- Anonymous Not only are you a thief, but you're likely to have stolen from your master many times over.
- Yes, it's fine.
- Anonymous The man was right about his friend, as the latter was too obtuse to study (either) religion or philosophy.
- It's not necessary.
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1 Answers
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Salaam!
AnonymousNot only are you a thief, but you're likely to have stolen from your master many times over.Yes, it's fine.
AnonymousThe man was right about his friend, as the latter was too obtuse to study (either) religion or philosophy.It's not necessary. Including either depends on the context. Examples:
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