Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Marrion]

I could not fall in love with mathematics not only because I was not interests in it, but also because I thought it had no common relationship with my dream.
--> [1] Not only because I was not interests in it could I not fall in love with mathematics , but also because I thought it had no common relationship with my dream.
--> [2] Not only could I not fall in love with mathematics because I was not interests in it, but also because I thought it had no common relationship with my dream.

First, which is correct, [1] or [2]? and why?
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His winning is an honor not only to him but also to our class.
--> [3] Not only to him is his winning an honor but also to our class.
--> [4] Not only is his winning an honor to him but also to our class.

Second, which is correct, [3] or [4]? and why?

[Mary W. Ng]

None of the sentences ([1], [2], [3] and [4]) posted is correct. The correlative conjunctions "not only...but also" are used to join parallel items. When you use "not only" to start an inverted main clause, the second item joined by "but also" must be a main clause as well.

For example, " Not only are we getting older, but also our hearts are giving out."

I hope this helps.
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com