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Eeelearner Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

"Not only" construction

A question about using "not only":

a) Not only did they have no money, they also had no job.

b) Not only did they have no money, but they also had no job.

Are both sentences correct or is one awkward / false ?

Thanks,
  

Top answer

To be parallel, I would say: They had not only no money (Noun Phrase), but also no job (Noun Phrase). Or Not only did they have no money (main clause), but also they had no job (main clause) Or They not only had no money (Verb Phrase), but also had no job (Verb Phrase)

— English 1b3

  • To be parallel, I would say: They had not only no money (Noun Phrase), but also no job (Noun Phrase).
  • Or Not only did they have no money (main clause), but also they had no job (main clause) Or They not only had no money (Verb Phrase), but also had no job (Verb Phrase)
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2 Answers
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To be parallel, I would say:

They had not only no money (Noun Phrase), but also no job (Noun Phrase).

Or

Not only did they have no money (main clause), but also they had no job (main clause)

Or

They not only had no money (Verb Phrase), but also had no job (Verb Phrase)
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I see - that would suggest that b) / your other examples are better than a).

Thanks again.
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