why?

Well...for one, you have mixed tenses. Forgets and forgot. Not sure if that's what you were asking, though.

Use "did" in the first clause, then your sentence becomes fine.

"Not only did he forget his books, but he forgot his pens as well."
paco

Paco2004Use "did" in the first clause, then your sentence becomes fine.

"Not only did he forget his books, but he forgot his pens as well."
paco

My style here. I would say: He forgot not only his books but also his pens.

Hello Philip

I agree your version is neater. I guess Minhuoc might have found his sentence in some grammar text explaining "negative inversion".

paco

Dear Paco,

I have realized the mistake I made in the sentence. I used the wrong tense.

Can I write like this but it is still right?

"Not only did he forget his books, he also forgot his pens."

Thanks a lot.

"Not only did he forget his books, but he also forgot his pens."

I am not only a bad singer, but also a terrible dancer.
I am not only smart, but also very handsome.

Not only did Mary clean the bathroom, but she also vacuumed the whole house.
Not only is David a great basketball player, but he also is a fantastic piano player.

MinhuocWhy is this sentence not right?

"Not only does he forget his books, but he forgot his pens as well."


Hi Minhouc!

It depends on what you are trying to say.

"Not only does he forget his books, (but) he forgets his pens as well." would be correct, if this is what you mean.
______

He forgot both his books and pens.