My friends, I decided to post this blog to explain how to use so called inclusives as the sentence with one of them causes a lot of problems on my current test. I came across such mistakes in many blogs and it is time to tell you about such constructions.
The expressions not only ... but also, both ... and, and as well as mean in addition to. Like entities must be used together (noun with noun, adjective with adjective, etc.). All forms must be parallel.
NOT ONLY... BUT ALSO
The correlative conjunctions not only ... but also must be used as a pair in joining like entities. The word also can be omitted, but it is preferable not to omit it.
- Subject + verb + not only + (1) + but also + (2)
where both (1) and (2) can be
- Nouns
- Adjectives
- Adverbs
- Prepositional phrases.
OR
- Subject + not only + verb + but also + verb
Robert is not only talented but also handsome.
Tom plays not only the guitar but also the violin.
We writes not only correctly but also neatly.
Maria excels not only in mathematics but also in science.
Tom not only plays the piano but also composes music.
Make sure that the not only clause immediately precedes the phrase to which it refers.
Pay attention to the following examples.
Incorrect: He is not only famous in Italy but also in Switzerland.
Correct: He is famous not only in Italy but also in Switzerland.
I'd also like to show how to satr with NOT ONLY. In this case there must be the inversion. Look at this sentence:
Tom not only plays the piano but also composes music.
We can also say:
Not only does he play the piano, but he also composes music.
AS WELL AS
The general structure of the sentence is the following
- Subject + verb + (1) + as well as + (2)
where (1) and (2) are the same as for not only… but also
OR
- Subject + verb + as well as + verb ...
Robert is talented as well as handsome.
Tom plays the guitar as well as the violin.
He writes correctly as well as neatly.
Marta excels in mathematics as well as in science .
Tom plays the piano as well as composes music.
When using as well as to indicate a compound subject, the phrase should be set off by commas. The verb will agree with the principal subject, not with the noun closest to it.
The teacher, as well as her students, is going to the concert.
My cousins, as well as Tim, have a test tomorrow.
BOTH….AND…..
These correlative conjunctions appear as a pair in a sentence.
- Subject + verb + both + (1) + and + (2).
where (1) and (2) are the same as for not only… but also.
OR
- Subject + both + verb… + and + verb…
Robert is both talented and handsome.
Beth plays both the guitar and the violin.
He writes both correctly and neatly.
Marta excels both in mathematics and in science .
Tom both plays the piano and composes music.
- I have to add the following:These constructions are mutually exclusive. It means that we can use only one of them in a sentence.
Incorrect: He is good both at math and at physics as well.
Correct: He is good both at math and at physics
OR
He is good at math as well as at physics .
- In all constructions (1) and (2) must be parallel. Firstly, they must be the same parts of speech as I have said at the very beginning. Secondly, if there are articles, prepositions, etc., they must be the same in both parts.
Incorrect: Beth plays both the guitar and violin.
Correct: Beth plays both the guitar and the violin.
Incorrect: I have been not only to Europe but also Asia.
Correct: I have been not only to Europe but also to Asia.
And now, I will ask you to practice a little and to write some sentences using these constructions. And, of course, you can ask me any questions as usual.
Comments
Dear Rose, I am not British, but we speak the same language. American vocabulary is a little different. So, you are right. British say so. I mean they say "on holiday" meaning "on vacation". Oh, boy! I hope they will not read this! Otherwise, they will say Americans say "on vacation" meaning "on holiday"! Hahaha! But if we speak about meaning of the words, HOLIDAY is a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done. VACATION is an extended period of recreation, esp. one spent away from home or in traveling. So, in American English we use these words like this:
HOLIDAY is a national holiday or (in figurative sense) my personal holiday.
VACATION is is a fixed period of the year when universities, colleges, schools, are officially closed, when working people don't work, when those who don't work (retired people) travel.
In America we ask, "Are you on business or for pleasure here?"
So, "to be on holiday" may be common in Europe, but sounds a little strange for me. I would use at least plural! Hahaha!
Thanks, dear Danny, your corrections and explanations are very clear as always.
About HOLIDAY .... I know, to have HOLIDAY(S) means having free days to celebrate religious or historical events and usually I do use it as you told me. Normally I use to say VACATION when I write or speak about my trips. But I have read in books of English natives (UK) where they also used the word HOLIDAY instead of VACATION. I had been asked from natives, "Are you here on holiday or on business?", when I was abroad. So I thought it might be common to say so.
Besides, let me say that HOLIDAY is a nation wide official day off like Independence Day, Chrismas, Labor Day and so on. You speak about your spare time spent abroad. It is your vacation
Thanks and best regard Sir
Besides, let me say that HOLIDAY is a nation wide official day off like Independence Day, Chrismas, Labor Day and so on. You speak about your spare time spent abroad. It is your vacation
Dear Rose, almost all sentences are correct. So, I will show you what is wrong.
I not only listen to advices but also give them. (First, you should mention a noun, then you can use a pronoun)
My husband not only works but also owns the workshop. (owns his own is the redundancy. The verb OWN is enough)
On my vacation, I have been not only to European but also to some Asian, African and Caribbean countries .
On my vacation, I not only stay on the beaches but also go sightseeing, enjoy nature and meet people.
I placed the time modifiers at the very beginning to save the parallel structure. I have also corrected the end of the first sentence because of the same reasons. As I said, (1) and (2) must be the same.
Thank you! Any questions?
Hello dear Danny, it seems I am the first again who takes part in your challenge. But it doesn't matter. I wrote some sentences again and I am waiting now for your corrections.
Thanks in advance.
I write not only poems but also stories.
I write stories as well as poems to improve my English skills.
I not only learn the English language but also write English stories and poems.
I not only listen to but also give advices.
My granddaughter is not only talented but also smart.
She is both talented and smart.
She excels not only in studies but also in art.
She is good at school subjects as well as at dancing and singing
My husband not only works but also owns his own workshop.
He is not only diligent but also sporty.
He plays bowling both passionately and successfully.
I have been on holiday not only to Europe but also to Asian- and African Countries and to the Caribbean.
I not only stay at the beaches on holiday but also visit sights, enjoy nature and meet people.
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