Cấu trúc Không chỉ ... Mà còn ... trong tiếng Anh

1. Cấu trúc Không chỉ ... Mà còn ... là gì?

 Cấu trúc Không chỉ… mà còn … là một dạng cấu trúc ngữ pháp tiếng Anh được sử dụng khá phổ biến, có nghĩa là: “Không chỉ …. mà còn ….”.

Cấu trúc này được áp dụng để nhấn mạnh về đặc tính, hành động của một sự vật, sự việc nào đó. Không những… mà còn được dùng để kết nối và nhấn mạnh đồng thời hai từ hay cụm từ có cùng vị trí, tính chất.

2. Cấu trúc và cách sử dụng Not Only…. But Also

Trong tiếng Anh, cấu trúc Not only … but  also có ba loại: 

Nhấn mạnh từ loại Danh từ

S + V + not only + Noun + but also + Noun 

Ví dụ: Not only my brother but also I do not like listening to music. (Không chỉ anh trai tôi mà cả tôi đều không thích nghe nhạc.)

Nhấn mạnh Hành động từ

S + không chỉ + V + mà còn + V

Ví dụ: Jimmy not only sing well but also dance perfectly. (Jimmy không những hát hay mà còn đàn giỏi nữa.)

Nhấn mạnh Tính từ

S + được + not only + Adj + but also + Adj

Ví dụ: She is not only beautiful but also intelligent. (Cô ấy không chỉ xinh đẹp mà còn thông minh.)

Nhấn mạnh Trạng từ

S + V + không chỉ + Adv + mà còn + Adv

Ví dụ: My father works not only quickly but also efficiently. (Bố tôi không chỉ làm việc nhanh mà còn hiệu quả nữa.)

3. Cấu trúc đảo ngữ với Not Only…. But Also

Không chỉ có 3 dạng chính như trên, cấu trúc not only but also cũng được áp dụng trong câu đảo ngữ:

Not only + Trợ động từ/ Modal verb + S + V but also …

Not only + động từ tobe + S… but also …

Note: In the Not only...but also sentence pattern, you can leave “but also” unchanged, but you can also omit “also” or separate “also” from “but”.

Example: I enjoy dogs. My friend enjoys dogs.

= Not only do I but also my friend likes dogs.

= Not only I but also my friend likes dogs.

3.1. Inversion with the verb “to be”

If your inverted sentence contains the verb “to be”, simply move the verb “to be” in front of the noun and keep the second clause unchanged (after the comma). This gives you a perfect inverted sentence right away.

Example: Smoking is not only harmful to your health but also costly (Hút thuốc không chỉ có hại cho sức khỏe của bạn mà còn tốn kém.)

= Not only is smoking harmful to your health, but they are also costly 

= Not only is smoking harmful to your health but also costly.

3.2. Inversion with the usual verb

You simply need to place appropriate auxiliary verbs like does, do, did... before the subject, then invert the subject afterwards and keep the remaining clause unchanged.

Example:

He speaks not only English but also Spanish. (Anh ấy không chỉ nói tiếng Anh mà còn nói tiếng Tây Ban Nha.)

→ Not only does he speak English but (he) also (speaks) Spanish.

3.3. Inversion with ellipsis verbs

For sentences with modal verbs like can, could, may, might..., you need to invert the modal verb before the subject. Additionally, keep the second clause after the comma unchanged to form a complete inverted sentence.

Example:

Increasing the cost of fuel can not only save fuel, but also protects environment. (Tăng chi phí nhiên liệu không chỉ có thể tiết kiệm nhiên liệu mà còn bảo vệ môi trường.)

→ Not only can saving fuel costs increase, it also protects the environment.

4. Common Errors in Using the Not only … but also Structure

4.1. Two words or phrases not in the same position or nature

Ex: He is not just handsome but also a doctor. 

In this case, “handsome” is an adjective whereas “doctor” is a noun, so they are not equivalent. => This is an incorrect usage.

4.2. Using inappropriate vocabulary in context.

Ex: Last night, I consumed not only fried chicken but also cola.

The meaning of this sentence is absurd, isn't it, because no one eats cola, only drinks it.

→ She consumed not only fried chicken but also drank cola.

5. Some synonymous structures with Not Only…. But Also

It doesn't entirely mean not only... but also, but it's important to note some synonymous structures with Not Only…. But Also below:

5.1. As well as (both … and …)

Similarly to the above structure, the components both before and after the phrase As well as must be equivalent.

S + V + N/adj/adv + as well as + N/adj/adv
Alternatively: S + V + as well as + V

Example:

• His friend is talented as well as handsome.
• He writes correctly as well as clearly.

5.2. Both … and … (both … and …)

The formula is exactly like 'not only … but also'. 'Both' is used only with 'and', not with 'as well as'.

Example: Tom is both talented and handsome.

6. Exercises in Application

Complete the complex sentences using the Not only – But also formula

1. There are problems not only with the children but also with their parents.

2. He can make people laugh not only but also make them cry.

3. She writes plays for television not only but also acts in movies.

4. I dispatched numerous letters to him. I also attempted to call him.

5. We go to our grandfather’s residence during the summer. We visit our grandfather’s place in the winter.

6. She possesses the ability to dance. She is also capable of singing.

7. They are in need of nourishment. They require medication.

8. He has arrived late on four occasions. He has failed to complete any tasks.

9. She was distressed. She was infuriated.

10. During winter, the days are brief. They are also chilly and dim.

Đáp án

1. There are issues not only with the children but also with their parents.

2. He not only can bring laughter to people but also move them to tears. / Not only does he bring laughter to people, but he also moves them to tears.

3. She writes plays for television not only but also acts in movies.

4. I sent him numerous letters not only but also attempted to call him.

5. We visit our grandfather’s residence not only during summer but also in winter.

6. She can dance not only but also sing.

7. They require not only food but also medicine.

8. She has been late not just four times; she has also failed to complete any work.

9. She wasn't just upset but also angry.

10. During winter, the days are not merely short but also cold and dark.

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