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不但…而且…

Not only…, but also…

HSK 3HSK 3.0 · 3

S + 不但 + A,而且 + (还/也) + B | 不但 + S1 + A,而且 + S2 + 也 + B

This pair expresses escalation, like 'not only…, but also…': 他不但会说汉语,而且说得很好. Position matters: with the SAME subject, the subject precedes 不但; with DIFFERENT subjects, 不但 precedes the first subject (不但我喜欢,而且我妈妈也喜欢). The second clause often adds 还 or 也. 不仅 is a slightly more formal synonym.

HSK 3–4 gap fills and sentence ordering (position of 不但).

Examples

  • 他不但会说汉语,而且说得很好。

    He not only speaks Chinese, but speaks it very well.

  • 这家饭馆不但菜好吃,而且很便宜。

    This restaurant's food is not only tasty but also cheap.

  • 不但我喜欢她,而且我的家人也喜欢她。

    Not only do I like her, my family likes her too.

  • 这个手机不但好看,而且还很便宜。

    This phone is not only good-looking but also cheap.

Exercises

  1. 1.她不但漂亮, 很聪明。

  2. 2.Choose the correct sentence:

  3. 3.不但学生喜欢这个老师, 家长也很喜欢他。

  4. 4.这个房子不但大,而且 便宜。

More grammar points