Not only but also (grammar rules broken?)

Your first sentence is the traditional way of handling the not only...but also construction.

Philip is correct, and I try to explain a bit more.
The "not only ... but also " construction is showing a relationship (comparison or contrast) between two completed actions that are expressed by verbs in the past tense.
The two verbs must be in precisely the same form to make the relationship clear.
That is why "did write", and "selected" does not fit the grammatical pattern, but

I’d like your help in this grammar muddle. Which is correct? Are both structures correct?

1) She not only wrote the text but also selected the illustrations.

2) She didn't only write the text but also selected the illustrations

I got myself tangled up with this grammar issue. I’d really appreciate it if you could help me with this question.
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Please see the following post and answers.


You can also search for other threads discussing this construction (search box - "not only, but also")

Hi - It looks like you've registered since you posted the original question, so welcome to English Forums!

When there is an anonymous post, it has to be approved. You may think it has disappeared, but it will appear in the meantime. I'm going to join the two threads so you have only once place to go if you have future questions.

AlpheccaStars The two verbs must be in precisely the same form to make the relationship clear.

Would it be correct to say that the OP is grammatically correct but not idiomatic?

- A.

not only did she write...she also selected...

always invert subject and verb when the sentence starts with negative: not , never, seldom

Anonymousnot only did she write...she also selected...

always invert subject and verb when the sentence starts with negative: not , never, seldomHi, anon.
Since both of the OP's examples begin with "she" (the subject), don't we escape your prescription?

not only she wrote the text, but she also selected the illustrations

you might have received tons of answers in the meanwhile, I see your posting is quite old, but I thought my answer could be appreciated.
cristina, exeter UK

Anonymousnot only she wrote the text

This is completely wrong in this context. "Not only she" means someone else did too.