Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..."

Revision as of 05:18, 27 August 2013 by Yucui (talk | contribs) (→‎Examples)

"不但⋯⋯,而且⋯⋯" (bùdàn..., érqiě...) is a very commonly used pattern that indicates "not only, ... but also...."

Structure

Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb

The pattern can also be used omitting 而且, and instead using adverbs like 也 and 还 in its place.

Examples

  • 不但做完了所有的工作,而且做得非常好。He not only finished all the works, but he also did them well.
  • 这种菜不但好吃,而且有营养。This kind of vegetable is not delicious but nutritious.
  • 不但 会 说 汉语,而且 会 说 日语。She can not only speak Mandarin, but she can also speak Japanese.
  • 这个学生不但会说中文,而且中文说得很好。She can not only speak Mandarin, but she is good at it.
  • 不但 能 修 汽车, 能 修 自行车。He can not only fix cars, but he can also fix bicycles.
  • 啊!他 很 聪明,不但 上 了 很 好 的 大学,而且 有 很 好 的 成绩。Wow. He's really smart. Not only did he go to a good university, but he also got really good grades.


Different emphasis with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯

When there is only one subject with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯,the subject has to come before 不但 and 而且 to stress the adj.or verb。Put two different subjects separately after 不但 and 而且 to stress them both。

Structure

Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb

不但 + subject1 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + subject2 + Adj./Verb

Examples

  • 不但 会 做饭,而且 会 洗衣服。I can not only cook, but she can also do some washing.
  • 不但 我 会 做饭,而且 我妹妹 也会 做饭。Not only I can cook.But also my little sister can.


See also

Sources and further reading

Books

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