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Sarunnio Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"not only... but also" and comma

Which of the followings is correct in terms of punctuation usage with "not only... but also" structure?

1) He not only play soccer with ease but also excel at playing pool.
2) He not only play soccer with ease, but also excel at playing pool.

Thanks in advance,
  

Top answer

Neither is correct. 1) He not only plays soccer with ease but also excels at playing pool. -- without comma 2) He not only plays soccer with ease, but he also excels at playing pool.

— Mister Micawber

  • Neither is correct.
  • 1) He not only plays soccer with ease but also excels at playing pool.
  • -- without comma 2) He not only plays soccer with ease, but he also excels at playing pool.
  • -- with comma Note also that most native speakers would use this form: Not only does he play soccer with ease, but he also excels at pool.
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5 Answers
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Neither is correct.

1) He not only plays soccer with ease but also excels at playing pool. -- without comma
2) He not only plays soccer with ease, but he also excels at playing pool. -- with comma

Note also that most native speakers would use this form:

Not only does he play soccer with ease, but he al
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This pattern is incorrect:
not only+ parallel structure+ but+ parallel structure+ also
So how you claim (2) is correct? Mr. Micawber
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S-V inversion is a common and natural phenomenon of fronted negatives, Seifi. The structure remains parallel in that both finite clauses are simple present tense. The adverb 'also', though it must remain close to the parallel segment, enjoys some liberty of placement.
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This incorrect pattern mention in TOEFL Barrons book, it just put on a table without "," then i think its because of lack of "," Am i right?
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