"不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯" (bùdàn..., érqiě...) is a very commonly used pattern
that indicates "not only, ... but also...."
Used with One Subject
Structure
Subj. + 不但 + Adj. / Verb， 而且 + Adj. / Verb
The same subject should apply to both the first part and the
second part (the part after 而且).
The pattern can also be used omitting 而且, and instead using
adverbs like 也 and 还 in its place.
Examples
- 这 种 菜 不但 好吃 ， 而且 有 营养 。 Zhè zhǒng cài bùdàn hǎochī, érqiě yǒu
yíngyǎng.This kind of vegetable is not
only delicious, but nutritious as well.
- 她 不但 聪明 ， 而且 很 努力 。 Tā
bùdàn cōngming, érqiě hěn
nǔlì.She is not only smart, but also
very hard-working.
- 他 不但 做 完 了 ， 而且 做 得 非常 好 。 Tā bùdàn zuò wán le, érqiě zuò de
fēicháng hǎo.Not only did he finish, but
he also did it extremely well.
Used with Two Different
Subjects
When there is only one subject with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯, the subject has to
come at the beginning of the sentence, before both 不但 and 而且. When
using two different subjects, however, you need to put one after 不但
and one after 而且.
Structure
So here's the pattern with one subject:
Subj. + 不但 + Adj. / Verb， 而且 + Adj. / Verb
And here's the pattern with two subjects:
不但 + Subj. 1 + Adj. / Verb， 而且 + Subj. 2 + Adj. / Verb
Examples
- 不但 我 会 做饭，而且 会
洗衣服。One subject, but in the wrong
placeNot only can I cook, but I can also
do the laundry.
- 我 不但 会 做饭，而且 会
洗衣服。One subjectNot
only can I cook, but I can also do the laundry.
- 我 不但 会 做饭，而且
我妹妹 也会 做饭。Two subjects, first
one in the wrong placeNot only can I
cook, but my little sister can as well.
- 不但 我 会 做饭，而且
我妹妹 也会 做饭。Two
subjectsNot only can I cook, but my
little sister can as well.
See also
Sources and further
reading
Books
Websites
Category:B1 grammar points