Grammatical Range: Not only… but… (Inversion)

One of my favourite expressions when I want to give two reasons why something is good or bad in an IELTS essay is not only…but…... This grammar structure is an example of inversion. With inversion, the subject and verb order are changed so that the verb comes first. Not only is this structure useful when you want to summarise your 2 main reasons in your introduction paragraph, but it can also be used in body paragraphs.

Look at the examples below:

Not only is eating in restaurants more expensive than eating at home, but it is less healthy too.
Not only are outdoor activities far more beneficial for children’s mental and physical health, but they also give children more opportunities to interact with others and develop important soft skills.
I strongly believe that physical education classes are useful, because not only are they beneficial to health, but they can also help pupils concentrate more effectively on their academic studies.

Notice that the two ideas are never contrasting. When we use this structure, both ideas must support the same point of view.

Exercise:

Combine the two ideas into one sentence by using 'not only…but…'

Example: Dreams help to motivate you/ Dreams help you to be more determined in your pursuit of a goal

Answer: Not only do dreams help to motivate you, but they help you to be more determined in pursuit of a goal

1. studying abroad can help you to master a foreign language/ studying abroad broadens your horizons

2. following your dreams may lead to financial success/ following your dreams is fulfilling

3. in the future medical care will be much better/ in the future schools and education will be better

4. nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide/ nuclear energy is not intermittent

5. doing sport helps children to learn soft skills/ doing sport helps children to stay fit and healthy.

6. getting enough sleep has been shown to prevent physical diseases/ getting enough sleep has been shown to help in the treatment of psychological illnesses

7. international trade has improved the lives of many people/ international trade has improved relations between countries

8. increasing funding for trains will lead to less pollution/ increasing funding for trains will lead to less congestion on the roads

Activity:

Now think of 2 reasons for or 2 reasons against a view presented in the IELTS questions below, then write a sentence giving your opinion and summarising the 2 reasons for it.

Example: Some people work very hard to make their dreams come true, while others are happy with what they already have. Do you think people should chase their dreams?

Answer: I strongly believe that people should go after their dreams because not only does chasing your dreams often lead to financial success, but it is also fulfilling.

1. Some people prefer to focus on ambitious dreams while others think realistic goals are more important. Which do you prefer and why?

2. People who grow up in wealthy families are less driven to succeed in school and at work. To what extent do you agree?

3. Children should be able to choose what they want to study rather than being forced to study a standard set of subjects. Do you agree or disagree?

4. Only people who grow up in wealthy countries have the luxury of chasing their dreams. What is your opinion?

5. In order to be a successful entrepreneur, you must be an optimist. To what extent do you agree?

Exercise Answer Key:

1. Not only can studying abroad help you to master a foreign language, but it broadens your horizons (too).

2. Not only may following your dreams lead to success, but it is fulfilling (too).

3. In the future not only will medical care be better, but schools and education will be better (too).

4. Not only does nuclear energy not produce carbon dioxide, but it is not intermittent (either).

5. Not only does doing sport help children to learn soft skills, but it helps them to stay fit and healthy (too).

6. Not only has getting enough sleep been shown to prevent physical diseases, but it has been shown to help in the treatment of psychological illnesses (too).

7. Not only has international trade improved the lives of many people, but it has improved relations between countries (too).

8. Not only will increasing funding for trains lead to less pollution, but it will lead to less congestion on the roads (too).