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English grammar

Not only … but also: paired conjunctions and parallel structure

C1 · Advanced Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

Paired conjunctions — both … and, either … or, neither … nor, not only … but also, whether … or, not … but, rather than — join two elements that must be grammatically parallel: noun with noun, adjective with adjective, verb with verb, clause with clause. She is both clever and hard-working (two adjectives); You can either call or email (two verbs). Faulty parallelism is one of the commonest C1 writing errors: She not only speaks French but also Spanish pairs a verb with a noun; the fix is She speaks not only French but also Spanish. With either … or and neither … nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (Neither the manager nor the staff were told). not … but corrects an assumption (It was not the cost but the delay that annoyed us). And rather than pairs like with like: I’d rather walk than take the bus.

Pattern

both X and Y · either X or Y · neither X nor Y · not only X but also Y · whether X or Y · not X but Y · X rather than Y (X and Y the same kind of word or phrase) · either / neither …: verb agrees with the nearer subject

Examples

  1. She speaks not only French but also fluent Arabic.

  2. You can either pay now or pay on delivery.

  3. Neither the landlord nor the agents replied to our letter.

  4. It was not the price but the service that disappointed us.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: She not only speaks French but also Spanish.

    Right: She speaks not only French but also Spanish.

    Keep both halves parallel: noun with noun.

  • Wrong: He is both clever and works hard.

    Right: He is both clever and hard-working.

    Pair adjective with adjective.

  • Wrong: Neither the manager or the staff knew.

    Right: Neither the manager nor the staff knew.

    neither pairs with nor.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    He not only lost his job but also his flat.

    1. He not only lost his job but also lost his flat too.
    2. Not only he lost his job but also his flat.
    3. He lost not only his job, also his flat.
    4. He lost not only his job but also his flat.
    Show answer

    Answer: D He lost not only his job but also his flat.

    Put not only right before the first noun so the halves match.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The course both is challenging and rewarding.
    2. The course is both challenge and rewarding.
    3. The course is both challenging and rewarding.
    4. The course is both challenging and it rewards.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The course is both challenging and rewarding.

    Adjective + adjective after both … and.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    Neither my brother _____ my sister can drive.

    1. and
    2. or
    3. but
    4. nor
    Show answer

    Answer: D Neither my brother nor my sister can drive.

    neither … nor.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    It was not the heat but the humidity that exhausted us.

    1. Both the heat and humidity tired them.
    2. Neither the heat nor humidity tired them.
    3. The humidity, not the heat, tired them out.
    4. Only the heat tired them out.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The humidity, not the heat, tired them out.

    not X but Y corrects: Y is the real cause.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Make the two halves parallel.

    She likes swimming, to cycle and going for long walks.

    1. She likes swimming, to cycle and to going for long walks.
    2. She likes swim, cycle and going for long walks.
    3. She likes swimming, cycling and going for long walks.
    4. She likes to swim, cycling and to go for long walks.
    Show answer

    Answer: C She likes swimming, cycling and going for long walks.

    Three -ing forms in a list.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Either the tenants nor the landlord has to pay for the repair.
    2. Either the tenants or the landlord have to pays for the repair.
    3. Either the tenants or the landlord has to pay for the repair.
    4. Either tenants either landlord has to pay for the repair.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Either the tenants or the landlord has to pay for the repair.

    The verb agrees with the nearer subject: the landlord has.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    You can either call us or send an email

    Show answer

    Answer: You can either call us or send an email.

    Verb phrase + verb phrase after either … or.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence is correctly balanced?

    Four sentences for a report.

    1. The scheme is both cheap and it works well.
    2. The scheme both is cheap and effective too.
    3. The scheme is both cheapness and effective.
    4. The scheme is both cheap and effective.
    Show answer

    Answer: D The scheme is both cheap and effective.

    Two adjectives after both … and.

  9. 9Fill in the gap.

    Whether you agree _____ not, the decision has been made.

    1. nor
    2. or
    3. if
    4. and
    Show answer

    Answer: B Whether you agree or not, the decision has been made.

    whether … or not.

  10. 10Change the sentence.

    Join with not only … but also.

    The hotel was expensive. It was also dirty.

    1. The hotel was not only expensive but also dirty.
    2. The hotel not only was expensive but dirty also it.
    3. Not only the hotel was expensive but also dirty.
    4. The hotel was not only expensive but also it was dirty.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The hotel was not only expensive but also dirty.

    Two adjectives: not only expensive but also dirty.

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