Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #305 of 305

Not Only... But Also with Inversion

Invert after not only at the start.

Examples

  • Not only did she win, but she broke the record.

Key rules

  • Not only at the start of a sentence needs inversion (Not only did she win)
  • Use auxiliary + subject + verb
  • But also follows in the second part (but she broke the record)
  • Also can be dropped in informal use

Common mistakes

  • Not only she won → Not only did she win
💡 Tip: Treat not only like a negative opener, with do/did.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
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Related Intermediate topics

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Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.