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Richardmartin147 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Part of Speech

Here is the sentence:
I wanted to do this not only because I was feeling guilty but also because I wanted my friend to see that he wasn't alone.

Please let me know, if the following is correct.

"not" is an adverb. "only" is an adverb.

Would it be incorrect to say that "not only" is an adverb? The question ask the student to identify the part of speech of "not only," however I feel this is an invalid question.

Thanks!
  

Top answer

but also' is usually considered entire as a correlative conjunction.

— Mister Micawber

  • but also' is usually considered entire as a correlative conjunction.
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8 Answers
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'Not only...but also' is usually considered entire as a correlative conjunction.
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So it is an invalid question to ask the part of speech of "not only" in the sentence above. "Not only" is part of the correlative conjunction, "not only... but also." The part of speech of any of the four words of this correlative conjunction is undefined.

Thoughts???
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Both words are adverbs, so "not only" is an adverb phrase.

In the example you gave, its function is that of 'marker of correlative coordination'.

BillJ
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I think they can certainly be analysed, but I don't see any advantage in doing so, since their classification varies:

He not only writes but also composes.
He is not only a writer but also a composer.
He is not only handsome but also rich.
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Mister MicawberI think they can certainly be analysed, but I don't see any advantage in doing so, since their classification varies: He not only writes but also composes. He is not only a writer but also a composer. He is not only handsome but also rich.
Still an adverb phrase in each of those, MM.

BillJ
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Thanks gentleman. For my purposes, I've decided to leave it at correlative conjunction.
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BillJStill an adverb phrase in each of those, MM.
Yes— I was thinking of 'my only chance', etc.
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