cấu trúc · formal
not + noun/phrase + but + noun/phrase
used to negate the first element and emphasise the second; it shows that B rather than A is true or important.
Examples
“Not quantity but quality matters in education.”
“The issue is not the lack of data but the way it is interpreted.”
“Not price but durability determines the product's success.”
Band 8 sentence
“When evaluating policies, one should consider long-term societal benefits, not short-term gains.”
Collocations
- not the + noun + but + noun
- not A but B (to emphasise contrast)
Word family
Common mistakes
Not the teachers but the principal are responsible.→Not the teachers but the principal is responsible.
Not only the students but also the teacher are late.→Not only the students but also the teacher is late.
Say it for a higher band
5not only + A + but also + B→6instead of + B→7+not + noun/phrase + but + noun/phrase
Synonyms
not A but rather B
Easily confused
not only + A + but also + B
“Not only did she win the prize, but she also set a new record.”
rather than + noun/gerund
“They focused on prevention rather than cure.”
Related words
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In Comparatives
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