Grammar · Free lesson
TOEFL sentence practice: not only…but also
You want to describe a study room with two useful qualities. Keep the sentence balanced so the second quality fits the first.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
The room is not only quiet but also spacious says both qualities are true. Is applies to quiet and spacious. Not only adds emphasis; it does not deny the first quality.
Pair adjective with adjective.
After The room is, quiet and spacious both work. Put not only before the first adjective and but also before the second. Do not replace spacious with the noun space in this pattern. Other patterns can pair verbs or clauses, but this exercise pairs adjectives.
Compare the examples
The room is quiet.
The room is spacious.
The room is not only quiet but also spacious.
The room is quiet and spacious is also correct. The longer pattern adds emphasis; it is not necessary in every sentence.
Build the meaning step by step
Test both adjectives
is quiet / is spacious
Add the linking pair
is not only quiet but also spacious
Try it now
Match form and meaning
Read all answers and explanations
The room is not only quiet but also spacious. What does this mean?
It is both quiet and spacious.Both qualities are included; not only does not cancel quiet.
Complete: The guide is not only clear but also ___.
usefulUseful is an adjective like clear. Usefully is an adverb; usefulness is a noun.
Choose the complete linking pattern.
The room is not only bright but also quiet.But also pairs with not only in this additive pattern.
Build it yourself
Build the two-quality sentence
Use all five pieces. Start with The library is and put quiet first.
Keep not only before quiet and but also before spacious. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your sentence
0 of 5 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
The library is not only quiet but also spacious.
Both adjectives share is. This builder requests quiet first; other complete sentences can describe the same two qualities.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can I just use and?
Yes. Quiet and spacious is a simple way to include both qualities. Not only…but also gives added emphasis and is often more formal.
The library is quiet and spacious.
What should be parallel on the two sides?
Match the grammatical roles being joined. Here quiet and spacious are both adjectives. This sentence does not require the inversion used when Not only begins a whole clause.
The room is not only quiet but also spacious.
Take it into your day
Not only…but also includes both qualities in this pattern.
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