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R4321q Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Not only ... but also?

Is following sentence correct or not? if it is right please explain why?( because I think it is not a blananced writing structure, however my friend insists that it is right).

In Springfield Academy not only the teachers and academic counselors are excellent, but also the library and laboratories have the newest computers and equipment.
  

Top answer

Hello, r4321q— and welcome to English Forums. This is correct: In Springfield Academy, not only are the teachers and academic counselors excellent, but also the library and laboratories have the newest computers and other equipment.

  • Hello, r4321q— and welcome to English Forums.
  • This is correct: In Springfield Academy, not only are the teachers and academic counselors excellent, but also the library and laboratories have the newest computers and other equipment.
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5 Answers
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Hello, r4321q— and welcome to English Forums.

This is correct:

In Springfield Academy, not only are the teachers and academic counselors excellent, but also the library and laboratories have the newest computers and other equipment.
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Hi,

Mr. M, your version is correct in written English, but in my opinion the OP's suggestion works too.

You aren't restricted to use inversion in this sentence. I believe you used inversion for emphasis,

but I don't think you necessarily had to.

For instance, I'd use inversion in the following sentence:

In Springfield Academy, not only are the teachers
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Yes, S-V inversion is necessary. According to Quirk et al, inversion does NOT occur only when the focus is on the subject:

Not only he protested but also several others joined in.
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Hi,

I certainly didn't say that inversion occurs only when the focus is on the subject.

Furthermore, I think your version is more elegant. However, I don't think it is so necessary

that the sentence becomes incorrect without it. Nowadays, inversion is rarely used, and you might

encounter it in written English rather than in spoken English.

Regards
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You didn't read my post carefully. Inversion does not happen only in the case where focus is on the subject. In all other cases it happens, as in the original poster's sentence. Failing to invert S-V is substandard there.

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