Please correct: sentence using "not only" "but also"

Question

Hi! I am applying for a job and would like to use a version of the following sentence. After searching in 8 different sites, I could not conclude if it is correct or not. PLEASE HELP!

The sentence is:
" Not only do my qualifications closely match your requirements, but also the goals and activities of the position deeply motivate me"

Thank you!

Clive · Accepted Answer

The sentence is:
" Not only do my qualifications closely match your requirements, but also the goals and activities of the position deeply motivate me"
My short answer is this. If you are not finding clear answers, then just reword your sentence in a simpler manner.
eg My qualifications closely match your requirements. In addition, the goals and activities of the position deeply motivate me.

The grammar for this phrasing is so tricky that it is almost just idiomatic.
In your sentence, the subject needs to be placed thus.
" Not only do my qualifications closely match your requirements, but the goals and activities of the position also deeply motivate me"
Frankly, this sounds terrible.

Another problem is that, in my opinion, the two parts are not closely enough related to justify this construction. A better example would be eg" Not only do my qualifications closely match your requirements, but they also exceed them."

The phrase 'deeply motivated' makes me wonder if you are from the Far East. My students from there seem to like talking about their deep emotions, in a way that most native speakers do not.

Clive

Please correct: sentence using "not only" "but also"

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