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Not only… but also…HSK 5

Many types of 'not only... but also...'

The conjunctions 不仅, 不但, and 不只 all mean "not only" and are used in the pattern "Subj. + 不仅/不但/不只 + [clause A], 而且/还/也 + [clause B]" to express "not only A, but also B." Any of the first three can pair freely with any of the second three, and they are essentially interchangeable. The most common mistake is placing the conjunction incorrectly before the subject; always put it after the subject and before the first verb phrase.

Structure

Subj. + 不仅 / 不但 / 不只 + [Verb Phrase 1] , 而且 / 还 / 也 + [Verb Phrase 2]
any combination of the first and second conjunctions works; all are interchangeable

Examples

  • 我不只对排球感兴趣，而且对足球也很感兴趣。
    Wǒ bù zhī duì pái qiú gǎn xìng qù, ér qiě duì zú qiú yě hěn gǎn xìng qù.
    I am not only interested in volleyball, but also in soccer.
  • 王师傅不但会开车，还会修车。
    Wáng shī fu bú dàn huì kāi chē, hái huì xiū chē.
    Not only does Master Wang drive a car, he also repairs cars.
  • 他不只会唱歌，也会跳舞。
    Tā bù zhī huì chàng gē, yě huì tiào wǔ.
    He can not only sing, but dance as well.
  • 这家餐厅的食物不但好吃，也便宜。
    Zhè jiā cān tīng de shí wù bú dàn hǎo chī, yě pián yi.
    The food in this restaurant is not only good, but is also cheap.
  • 他不仅懒，还馋。
    Tā bù jǐn lǎn, hái chán.
    He is not only lazy, but also greedy.

Words that use this