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Postmodernbliss Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
What is the structure of this sentence called?
Hello,
Many kind thanks in advance for anyone who can help me identify the grammatical structure of the following sentence:
Not only were the actors great, but the storyline and the music were exceptional as well.
I have an EFL student who asked me why is this sentence structured this way. Specifically, the use of not only to compare the actors, storyline and music. I honestly couldn't think of anything to say other than the fact that the subject complement was split (were great) from the subject (the actors). Is there any other way to explain what this type of sentence structure is called?
Thank you.
Many kind thanks in advance for anyone who can help me identify the grammatical structure of the following sentence:
Not only were the actors great, but the storyline and the music were exceptional as well.
I have an EFL student who asked me why is this sentence structured this way. Specifically, the use of not only to compare the actors, storyline and music. I honestly couldn't think of anything to say other than the fact that the subject complement was split (were great) from the subject (the actors). Is there any other way to explain what this type of sentence structure is called?
Thank you.
Top answer
My approach to analyzing English grammar may be completely different from yours. I just learned in school that if not, never, seldom, only, hardly or some other negative or restrictive word starts a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause . (Inversion = inverted order of the subject and the finite verb .
- My approach to analyzing English grammar may be completely different from yours.
- I just learned in school that if not, never, seldom, only, hardly or some other negative or restrictive word starts a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause .
- (Inversion = inverted order of the subject and the finite verb .
- ) Examples: Not only were the actors young , they were also very good.
- Only when I talked to him did I r ealize how wrong I had been .
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2 Answers
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My approach to analyzing English grammar may be completely different from yours. I just learned in school that if not, never, seldom, only, hardly or some other negative or restrictive word starts a sentence, inversion occurs in the main clause. (Inversion = inverted order of the subject and the finite verb
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If he specifically questions the "not only," I expect his curiosity would also be raised by the somewhat more common, "not only ___, but also ___."
There is usually some prior context which calls attention to the main element.
The sentence points out that other things have this same (or a rather similar) quality.
Absent a prior mention of the "first" item, it might be obvi
There is usually some prior context which calls attention to the main element.
The sentence points out that other things have this same (or a rather similar) quality.
Absent a prior mention of the "first" item, it might be obvi
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