These phrases always work together within sentences.

If you see “not only”, then the correct answer choice must contain “but also”.

If you see “but also”, then the sentence must have “not only.”

Please remember that “not only” always comes before “but also”.

Furthermore, the words or phrases that go after “not only” and “but also” must match in part of speech and form. For example, “Frank recycles not only cans (plural noun) but also bottles (plural noun)”.

Incorrect: She jogs daily not only to improve her health but also stamina.

Correct: She jogs daily not only to improve her health but also to increase her stamina.

SAMPLE PRACTICE QUESTION FOR NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO

        The students enjoyed the professor’s lectures on chemistry not only because they
        were informative but also entertaining.

        (A) not only because they were informative but also entertaining
        (B) not only because they were informative but entertaining
        (C) not only because they were informative but also they were entertaining
        (D) not only because they were informative and also entertaining
        (E) not only because they were informative but also because they were entertaining

Reading the question, your first task is to eliminate any answer choices that do not match “not only” with “but also”. This allows you to eliminate choices (B) and (D).

You can then move onto choices that do not match the phrases after “not only” and “but also”. Choices (A) and (C) can be eliminated based on this.

Only choice (E) correctly contains “not only…but also” and properly matches their proceeding phrases.

SAT Writing: Using Not Only...But Also

Lesson Includes:

—Explanation of Not Only...But Also

—Sample Practice Questions

—Practice Questions

SAT Math

SAT Reading

SAT Writing

SAT Vocabulary

NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO REVIEW QUIZ

 

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