Not only but also 是英文中的對等連接詞(Correlative Conjunction),表示「不但……而且……」,用來連接兩個相同詞性的字詞、片語或子句,並強調後面的內容。這個句型常見於商業英文、正式寫作以及 TOEIC 考試。
The company not only reduced costs but also improved productivity.
(公司不但降低成本,而且提高了生產力。)
Not only...but also... 可以連接名詞、形容詞、動詞、片語或子句,但兩側必須遵守平行結構(Parallel Structure)。
The new software is not only efficient but also user-friendly.
(這套新軟體不但有效率,而且容易使用。)
不一定。只有當 Not only 位於句首時,才需要使用倒裝句(Inversion),其結構為Not only + 助動詞 + 主詞 + 原形動詞。若位於句中則不需要倒裝。
Not only did the manager approve the proposal, but he also presented it to the board.
(經理不但核准了提案,還向董事會進行簡報。)
當 not only...but also... 連接兩個主詞時,動詞通常遵循就近一致原則(Proximity Rule),依照最接近動詞的主詞決定單複數。
Not only the employees but also the manager is responsible for the project.
(不只是員工,連經理也要對此專案負責。)
Both...and... 強調兩者同等重要;not only...but also... 則更強調第二項資訊,因此語氣較強,也較常出現在正式寫作中。
The company improved both quality and efficiency.
(公司同時提升品質與效率。)
The company not only improved quality but also reduced costs.
(公司不但提升品質,而且降低成本。)
最常見的錯誤包括沒有遵守平行結構、句首 Not only 忘記使用倒裝句,以及沒有依照主詞動詞一致規則選擇正確的動詞形式。
❌ She is not only intelligent but also works hard.
✅ She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
(她不但聰明,而且勤奮。)
是。TOEIC Part 5 經常考查 not only...but also... 的平行結構、主詞動詞一致以及倒裝句。
Not only the president but also the directors are attending the conference.
(不只是總裁,董事們也將出席這場會議。)
可以。Not only...but also... 是正式且常見的英文句型,廣泛運用於商業郵件、學術文章、新聞報導及工作簡報。
The company not only expanded into Asia but also opened new offices in Europe.
(公司不但拓展亞洲市場,而且在歐洲設立了新辦公室。)
不一定。Not only...but also... 可以連接名詞、形容詞、動詞、片語或完整子句,只要兩側維持相同的文法功能即可。
She is not only creative but also hardworking.
(她不但有創意,而且工作勤奮。)
最重要的是掌握平行結構(Parallel Structure)、主詞動詞一致(Subject-Verb Agreement)以及倒裝句(Inversion)。熟悉這三項規則,就能大幅提升 TOEIC 文法題與英文寫作能力。
Not only did the company improve customer service, but it also reduced operating costs.
(公司不但提升了客戶服務品質,也降低了營運成本。)