“Not Only But Also” Comma Rule – Full Explanation (10+ Examples)

When we’re comparing two things that something has or does, we might use the phrase “not only but also”. Although we might say this word a lot, it’s rare for us to write it. Meaning that when we do, we don’t always put a comma where we should.

“Not only but also” comma rule

“Not only but also” doesn’t need a comma at all. But if you want to use it to add emphasis, you should add it before the “but”. Hence, when you want to add emphasis, you should write “Not only, but also”.

What does “not only but also” mean?

Before we can delve into the rules around the phrase, we first need to establish what it means. When we say “not only but also” we are using comparison to emphasise an aspect.

I know that sounds confusing, but let me explain.

Let’s say I want to talk about how big my shower is. I might say “I can fit not only my whole family but also the pets inside too”.

The use of “not only but also” is used to say that my family is only one of two things that can fit inside my shower.

If I wanted to emphasise that my pets can fit in there, I could write it as “I can fit not only my whole family, but also the pets inside too”.

10 examples of “not only but also”

“He not only killed seven people but also ate a duck for the fun of it. We need to catch this criminal”

“He drives not only a Bentley but also a Rolls Royce. It’s clear that this is a man who likes his cars”

“I ate not only cheese burgers but also hot dogs. After I was done, I felt like I had to run 1000 miles to lose the weight”

“I work not only weekends, but also evenings. I just really want to do what’s best for my family”

“He went to only to the gym but also the farm shop. He wanted to make changes to become healthier

“My fruit salad had not only apples and pears but also strawberries and blueberries. I knew that this would be a great way to end the meal”

“Batman not only stopped the joker but also the Penguin”

“I ran not only to the shop but also back again”

“I ate not only pie and mash but also fish and chips”

“I am not only human but also part alien”.

Ways people get “not only but also” wrong

But back to “not only but also”.

Here are some of the ways people get it wrong.

“I read, not only books but also magazines”

“I read” is not an introductory word.

“I read not only books but also, magazines”

This makes no sense as “magazines” does not need to be separated.

Other comma rules you may find useful

The best way to know when you should or shouldn’t use a comma is to look over the comma rules. For some of you, this will be new, but for others, it will be a refresh of what your English teacher taught you.

Separate words- like on a list

apples, paper, loo roll, milk, bread.

Separate independent clauses

It’s a big plant, but it’s very nice.

Introductory words and phrase

Today, I ate three pizzas.

Separate adjectives

She is a happy, excitable girl.

Separate lists of phrases

I like eating cake, skipping rope, running uphill and racing.

Express contrast

He liked the Beatles, she liked the Stones.

Avoid confusion

Jeremy, the boy’s father, came into the room.

Separate quotes

I said “stop doing that”, but he kept on doing it.

Set expressions to interrupt the flow.

I watered my plants, a waste of time, and then ate a burger.

Dates and addresses

I live in Portsmouth, England.

It’s on the 15th of May, 2021

Separate statement from tag question

You went to Brazil last year, didn’t you?

There are a few more rules, but those are the main ones that you ought to be aware of. Despite what some people might say “when you naturally take a breath” isn’t an official rule.

Conclusion

And there we have it. Now you know, that most of the time, you don’t need to use a comma when you say “not only but also”. But if you wish to add emphasis to the second part of the sentence, you could put a comma before “but”.

Sometimes, we use commas when we don’t need to. And as a result, our sentences don’t make as much sense as they should. Think before you use a comma.