He was not only a talented pianist but also a great composer. The position of not only should be the same as the position of but also (i.e. immediately before an object, immediately before a main verb, etc). Compare: ‘He injured not only his shoulder but also his elbow.’ (‘his shoulder’ and ‘his elbow’ are both objects) ‘He not only injured his back but also hurt his head.’ (‘injured’ and ‘hurt’ are both verbs) 2
Not only I passed, but I got a distinction.
Not only did I pass, but I got a distinction. See Language Note below nothing It was so dark that I couldn’t see nothing.
It was so dark that I couldn’t see anything. See Language Note below Using negative words •
Do not use two negative words in a clause.
No, nobody, nothing etc cannot be used with
not, never, hardly, seldom, etc. Nobody could see me. (NOT ‘couldn’t see’)
Nobody ever asks me for my opinion. (NOT ‘never asks’)
I checked the essay for mistakes but couldn’t find any. (NOT ‘find none’)
•
After negative words, you usually use
any, anyone, anything, etc (NOT
some, someone, something, ete). I hadn’t seen anyone for over a week. Nobody is doing anything to help them. Follow the same rule if the context has a negative meaning.
He managed to get on the train without anyone seeing him. By six o’clock I am too tired to do anything else. •
As a general rule, use
nobody/nothing etc with an affirmative verb instead of
