The phrase “not only but also” is widely used in English to emphasize that one thing is true and another is true as well.
It adds weight and structure to sentences, showing the connection between two positive facts or actions.
While this phrase is correct and effective, relying on it too often can make your writing or speech feel repetitive or formal.
Using varied expressions improves clarity, tone, and engagement.
Choosing the right alternative can help you sound professional in business emails, academic essays, or meetings, while keeping informal conversation friendly and natural.
For example:
Formal: The project is not only challenging but also rewarding.
Informal: The project is tough and super fun too!
By exploring alternatives, you’ll learn how to adjust tone, formality, and nuance based on your audience, making your English more versatile and polished.
What Does “Not Only But Also” Mean?
Definition:
“Not only but also” is a conjunction used to link two related ideas, highlighting that both are significant or true.
It emphasizes that the second point adds extra weight to the first.
Grammar Form:
Conjunction, often used in paired phrases: not only X but also Y
Synonyms:
- Furthermore
- In addition
- As well as
Opposites / Contrast Tones:
- Either…or… (contrast rather than addition)
- Only…without (limits or excludes rather than adds)
Example Sentences:
- She is not only intelligent but also creative.
- The movie was not only exciting but also deeply moving.
When to Use “Not Only But Also”
Spoken English: Use it to emphasize something during conversation. Can sound formal if overused.
Example: He’s not only funny but also kind.
Business English: Adds authority and sophistication in presentations or reports.
Example: The initiative not only improves efficiency but also reduces costs.
Emails / Messages: Professional emails often benefit from simpler alternatives to avoid sounding stiff.
Example: Your proposal not only meets the requirements but also adds extra value.
Social Media: Shorter, casual forms like “and also” or “plus” are more natural.
Example: This cafe is cozy and also has amazing desserts!
Academic Writing: Shows logical structure in essays and research papers.
Example: The study not only confirms previous findings but also provides new insights.
Professional Meetings: Works well to reinforce key points without sounding repetitive.
Example: Our strategy not only targets new markets but also strengthens existing partnerships.
Is “Not Only But Also” Polite or Professional?
Tone Levels:
- Polite: Soft emphasis, adds credibility without sounding pushy.
- Neutral: Common in speech and writing, safe in most contexts.
- Strong: Can feel formal or academic.
Formal vs Informal:
- Formal: Ideal for business, academia, official emails.
- Informal: Can sound stiff; better to use simpler alternatives like and also or as well as.
Etiquette Tip:
Better for workplace presentations or formal writing. Avoid overusing in casual chats or social media posts.
Pros & Cons of Using “Not Only But Also”
✔ Pros:
- Highlights multiple points effectively
- Adds formal emphasis
- Strengthens professional and academic writing
✘ Cons:
- Can sound stiff or overused
- Not always suitable for casual speech
- May make sentences longer than needed
Quick Alternatives List (One-Line Phrases Only)
- And also
- As well as
- In addition
- Along with
- Together with
- Plus
- Moreover
- Furthermore
- Besides
- Coupled with
- With the added benefit of
- Not just…but
- Equally important
- On top of that
- Additionally
15 Alternatives to “Not Only But Also”
1. And Also
Meaning: Adds a second point.
Explanation: Simple and casual. Works in spoken English or informal writing.
Grammar Note: Conjunction
Example Sentence: She is smart and also talented.
Best Use: Informal conversation, text messages
Worst Use: Formal reports or academic essays
Tone: Friendly, Neutral
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when the audience is casual.
2. As Well As
Meaning: Indicates inclusion.
Explanation: Polite and versatile. Less formal than “not only but also.”
Grammar Note: Preposition/conjunction
Example Sentence: He teaches math as well as physics.
Best Use: Professional emails, essays, spoken English
Worst Use: Slangy or casual chat
Tone: Neutral, Professional
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Perfect for emails and essays to avoid repetitive phrasing.
3. In Addition
Meaning: Adds extra information.
Explanation: Formal, professional, commonly used in reports or presentations.
Grammar Note: Formal phrase
Example Sentence: In addition, the survey highlights key trends.
Best Use: Business writing, academic papers
Worst Use: Informal chats or texts
Tone: Formal, Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when writing reports or presentations.
4. Along With
Meaning: Combined with something else.
Explanation: Neutral tone, suitable for written and spoken English.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: The manager, along with the team, approved the plan.
Best Use: Formal emails, spoken meetings
Worst Use: Overly casual slang situations
Tone: Neutral, Professional
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: When inclusion of two parties or items is emphasized.
5. Plus
Meaning: Adds extra emphasis casually.
Explanation: Informal and friendly; less suitable for academic writing.
Grammar Note: Conjunction
Example Sentence: The trip was fun, plus we learned a lot.
Best Use: Social media, casual emails
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Friendly, Casual
Level: Beginner
Similarity Score: 6/10
Replaceability Tip: Use for casual communication.
6. Moreover
Meaning: Adds a reinforcing point.
Explanation: Strong formal tone, emphasizes importance.
Grammar Note: Formal adverb
Example Sentence: The policy is fair; moreover, it promotes sustainability.
Best Use: Academic writing, reports
Worst Use: Informal conversations
Tone: Formal, Strong
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Use in essays and formal reports.
7. Furthermore
Meaning: Adds additional weight.
Explanation: Slightly more formal than “moreover.”
Grammar Note: Adverb
Example Sentence: The project will reduce costs; furthermore, it will increase efficiency.
Best Use: Business reports, academic papers
Worst Use: Informal texts
Tone: Formal, Professional
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Excellent for formal writing.
8. Besides
Meaning: Adds an extra idea informally.
Explanation: Casual, friendly, often in speech.
Grammar Note: Conjunction / adverb
Example Sentence: I don’t want to go, besides, it’s too late.
Best Use: Spoken English, informal writing
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Casual, Friendly
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Similarity Score: 7/10
Replaceability Tip: Use in conversation to sound natural.
9. Coupled With
Meaning: Combined effect of two things.
Explanation: Formal, often used in professional analysis.
Grammar Note: Phrase
Example Sentence: High demand, coupled with low supply, raises prices.
Best Use: Business reports, presentations
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Professional, Formal
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Emphasizes cause-and-effect or combination.
10. With the Added Benefit Of
Meaning: Adds positive emphasis.
Explanation: Slightly informal, persuasive tone.
Grammar Note: Phrase
Example Sentence: This plan reduces costs with the added benefit of improving quality.
Best Use: Business proposals, pitches
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Professional, Persuasive
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use when highlighting advantages.
11. Not Just…But
Meaning: Emphasizes two points.
Explanation: Flexible and slightly informal.
Grammar Note: Conjunction
Example Sentence: Not just our staff, but our clients appreciate the change.
Best Use: Spoken English, emails
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Friendly, Neutral
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Good for casual emphasis.
12. Equally Important
Meaning: Highlights equal significance.
Explanation: Adds weight in formal writing.
Grammar Note: Phrase
Example Sentence: Equally important, the policy promotes inclusion.
Best Use: Essays, reports, presentations
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal, Professional
Level: Advanced
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Use to emphasize importance.
13. On Top of That
Meaning: Adds extra information informally.
Explanation: Casual, friendly; often spoken.
Grammar Note: Phrase
Example Sentence: The tickets were cheap, and on top of that, we got free snacks.
Best Use: Conversation, social media
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Friendly, Casual
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Similarity Score: 6/10
Replaceability Tip: Use in storytelling or personal anecdotes.
14. Additionally
Meaning: Adds information formally.
Explanation: Neutral, professional tone.
Grammar Note: Adverb
Example Sentence: Additionally, the study considers regional differences.
Best Use: Academic writing, business reports
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Professional, Neutral
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 9/10
Replaceability Tip: Use for smooth formal transitions.
15. Together With
Meaning: Combines ideas or groups.
Explanation: Neutral and professional; works for spoken or written English.
Grammar Note: Prepositional phrase
Example Sentence: The CEO, together with the board, approved the strategy.
Best Use: Workplace, emails, reports
Worst Use: Slang or social media
Tone: Professional, Neutral
Level: Intermediate
Similarity Score: 8/10
Replaceability Tip: Good for emphasizing partnership or inclusion.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Dialogue:
- A: The new strategy is not only cost-effective but also innovative.
- B: Indeed, it addresses multiple challenges simultaneously.
Informal Dialogue:
- A: This game isn’t just fun but also educational!
- B: Yeah, I learned a lot while playing.
Business Email:
Dear Team,
The upcoming campaign not only targets new clients but also strengthens loyalty among existing customers. Please review the attached plan for details.
Best regards,
Alex
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing the phrase in the same paragraph.
- Using it in casual texts or social media (sounds stiff).
- Forgetting the parallel structure: not only X but also Y.
- Mixing with inappropriate conjunctions: not only X and also Y.
- Using it for negative points (it’s usually positive).
- Confusing formal alternatives with casual ones.
- Placing it at the wrong position in the sentence.
Cultural & Tone Tips
- UK English: Slightly formal; preferred in business writing.
- US English: Common in both formal and informal contexts, but casual alternatives like and also are popular.
- Casual Social English: Use plus, on top of that, or and also. Formal phrasing can feel unnatural.
- Tone depends on audience: business emails require neutral or formal alternatives, while friends and social media allow friendly expressions.
Comparison Table (5 Best Alternatives)
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Addition | Formal | Reports, essays | High | In addition, the results support our theory. |
| Furthermore | Strong | Academic, business | High | Furthermore, it enhances productivity. |
| As Well As | Neutral | Emails, spoken English | Medium | He speaks French as well as Spanish. |
| On Top of That | Casual | Conversation, social media | Low | On top of that, we got discounts. |
| Not Just…But | Neutral | Emails, conversation | Medium | Not just our team, but our clients agree. |
FAQs
Q1: Is “not only but also” rude?
A1: No, it is polite and formal; overuse can sound stiff.
Q2: Is it okay in emails?
A2: Yes, especially in professional or academic emails.
Q3: What is the most formal alternative?
A3: Furthermore or In addition.
Q4: What is the most polite alternative?
A4: As well as or Additionally.
Q5: What should beginners use?
A5: And also or plus.
Q6: Can I use it in spoken English?
A6: Yes, but simpler alternatives sound more natural.
Conclusion
Using alternatives to “not only but also” helps you sound more versatile, clear, and professional.
Choosing the right phrase allows you to adjust tone, maintain engagement, and avoid repetition in writing or conversation.
From formal essays to casual chats, practicing these variations improves fluency and makes your English more natural.
Start experimenting with these alternatives in emails, meetings, or daily conversations to develop a confident and polished style.
Ethan Cole is a passionate language enthusiast dedicated to making English learning simple and enjoyable.