不但…而且 vs 不仅…而且 (búdàn…érqiě vs bùjǐn…érqiě): which “not only…but also” to use
Both 不但…而且 and 不仅…而且 mean "not only…but also" and are largely interchangeable in meaning. The main difference is register: 不仅…而且 is slightly more formal and commonly used in writing and formal speech, while 不但…而且 is neutral and appears often in everyday conversation. For most contexts, either works, but choosing the right one can make your Chinese sound more natural.
The paired structures 不但…而且 and 不仅…而且 both express "not only A but also B" in Chinese. They are grammatically identical and interchangeable in many contexts. The main difference is register: 不仅…而且 is slightly more formal and appears more often in written Chinese, news, and speeches, while 不但…而且 is neutral and common in both speech and writing. Neither is incorrect in either register, but using the more formal one in casual conversation may sound stiff, and using the neutral one in very formal writing may be seen as less polished. Both can also pair with 还/也 instead of 而且, but 而且 is the most common connector.
When to use each
Use in most spoken and written contexts to present two points, with the second adding emphasis. It is the neutral, everyday option and pairs naturally with 而且, 还, or 也.
Use in formal writing, reports, speeches, or when you want to sound more literary. It carries the same meaning as 不但…而且 but is slightly more formal. 不仅 can also be used alone (not paired) to mean "not only".
In the paired structure, 不仅…而且 is interchangeable with 不但…而且; the difference is purely stylistic.
At a glance
| 不但…而且 | 不仅…而且 | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Neutral; common in speech and writing | Slightly formal; common in writing and formal speech |
| Frequency in conversation | Very frequent | Less frequent, but still used |
| Frequency in writing | Common | More frequent in formal written Chinese |
| Other connectors (还/也) | 不但…还/也 is common | 不仅…还/也 is also common |
| Standalone usage | Rarely used alone; usually paired | Can stand alone meaning 'not only' (e.g., 不仅如此) |
Examples
- 不但…而且他不但会说英语，而且会说法语。Tā búdàn huì shuō Yīngyǔ, érqiě huì shuō Fǎyǔ.He not only can speak English, but also can speak French.Neutral, natural in speech.
- 不仅…而且这家公司不仅产品好，而且服务也一流。Zhè jiā gōngsī bùjǐn chǎnpǐn hǎo, érqiě fúwù yě yīliú.This company not only has good products, but also first-class service.Slightly more formal, suitable for a review or report.
- 不但…而且她不但聪明，还很努力。Tā búdàn cōngmíng, hái hěn nǔlì.She is not only smart, but also very hardworking.Using 还 instead of 而且 is also common with 不但.
- 不仅…而且这不仅是我们公司的目标，而且是每一个员工的信念。Zhè bùjǐn shì wǒmen gōngsī de mùbiāo, érqiě shì měi yīgè yuángōng de xìnniàn.This is not only our company's goal, but also the belief of every employee.Formal, written style.
Common mistakes
- Using 不仅 in very casual conversation where 不但 would sound more natural—though not wrong, it can feel a bit stiff.
- Thinking that 不仅 is always more formal than 不但—both are fine in writing, but 不仅 is preferred in highly formal or literary contexts.
- Using 不但 alone in a sentence like '不但他来了' without a following clause—this is rare and may confuse; it's better to pair it with 而且/还/也.
- Forgetting that 不仅 can also be used as a standalone expression (e.g., 不仅如此), while 不但 is almost never used that way.
FAQ
- When do I use 不但…而且 vs 不仅…而且?
- Use 不但…而且 in everyday speech and neutral writing; use 不仅…而且 in formal writing, speeches, or when you want to sound more literary. In casual conversation, 不但 is more common; in a news article, 不仅 is often preferred.
- Is 不仅 more formal than 不但?
- Yes, 不仅…而且 is slightly more formal and appears more frequently in written Chinese, official documents, and formal speeches. However, both are correct and widely understood in any register.
- Can I use 还 or 也 instead of 而且 with 不但/不仅?
- Yes. Both 不但 and 不仅 can pair with 还 or 也 to convey the same meaning (e.g., 不但…还, 不仅…也). The pattern with 而且 is the most standard, but 还/也 is very common, especially in spoken Chinese.
- Can 不仅 be used without 而且?
- Yes. 不仅 can be used alone as an adverb meaning 'not only', especially in fixed expressions like 不仅如此 ('not only that') or 不仅…还/也. In contrast, 不但 is almost always paired with 而且/还/也 in modern Chinese.