The phrase “not only” is common in English. It helps you add more information and show emphasis.
For example, “She is not only smart but also kind.” While this phrase is useful, using it too often can sound repetitive.
Learning other ways to say “not only” helps you sound more natural, fluent, and confident. It also lets you adjust your tone for formal, casual, or business situations.
In this guide, you will learn many alternatives to “not only”, when to use them, and how to choose the best one for each context.
What Does “Not Only” Mean?
“Not only” is used to show that something has more than one quality or feature. It introduces the first idea, and another idea usually follows.
Grammar structure:
Not only + idea 1 + but also + idea 2
Example:
She is not only a teacher but also a writer.
It adds emphasis and shows that both ideas are important.
When to Use “Not Only”
You can use “not only” in many situations:
- Formal writing: essays, reports, emails
- Spoken English: conversations, presentations
- Business context: meetings, proposals
- Storytelling: to add detail and emphasis
It works well when you want to highlight multiple strengths, features, or facts.
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “Not Only”?
Yes, “not only” is both professional and polite. It is widely used in business and academic writing.
However:
- Using it too often can sound repetitive
- Some alternatives may sound more modern or natural in casual speech
So, learning synonyms for “not only” helps improve your communication style.
Pros and Cons of Using “Not Only”
✅ Pros:
- Clear and easy to understand
- Works in formal and informal settings
- Adds emphasis
- Helps connect ideas smoothly
❌ Cons:
- Can sound repetitive if overused
- Slightly formal in casual speech
- Requires correct structure (“but also”)
23+ Alternatives to “Not Only”
1. Phrase: As well as
Meaning: In addition to
Explanation: Adds another idea smoothly
Example Sentence: She is a singer as well as a dancer.
Best Use: Formal/Neutral
Worst Use: Very casual slang
Tone: Neutral
2. Phrase: In addition to
Meaning: Also included
Explanation: Common in formal writing
Example Sentence: He speaks English in addition to French.
Best Use: Formal/Business
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal
3. Phrase: Also
Meaning: Too; as well
Explanation: Simple and very common
Example Sentence: She is kind and also helpful.
Best Use: All contexts
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
4. Phrase: Too
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Used at the end of a sentence
Example Sentence: He is talented and funny too.
Best Use: Informal
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Friendly
5. Phrase: As well
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Similar to “too”
Example Sentence: She sings and dances as well.
Best Use: Neutral
Worst Use: Very formal documents
Tone: Neutral
6. Phrase: Besides
Meaning: In addition
Explanation: Adds extra point
Example Sentence: She is smart. Besides, she works hard.
Best Use: Informal
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Casual
7. Phrase: Moreover
Meaning: Furthermore
Explanation: Strong formal connector
Example Sentence: He is skilled. Moreover, he is reliable.
Best Use: Formal writing
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Formal
8. Phrase: Furthermore
Meaning: In addition
Explanation: Similar to “moreover”
Example Sentence: The plan is simple. Furthermore, it is effective.
Best Use: Academic
Worst Use: Informal
Tone: Formal
9. Phrase: Additionally
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Common in business writing
Example Sentence: The product is cheap. Additionally, it is durable.
Best Use: Business/Formal
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal
10. Phrase: Plus
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Informal and easy
Example Sentence: It’s fast and cheap, plus easy to use.
Best Use: Casual
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Friendly
11. Phrase: Along with
Meaning: Together with
Explanation: Shows combination
Example Sentence: She brought snacks along with drinks.
Best Use: Neutral
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
12. Phrase: Coupled with
Meaning: Combined with
Explanation: Slightly formal
Example Sentence: Skill, coupled with effort, leads to success.
Best Use: Formal
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Formal
13. Phrase: Not to mention
Meaning: Also; and even more
Explanation: Adds emphasis
Example Sentence: It’s cheap, not to mention high quality.
Best Use: Informal
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Emphatic
14. Phrase: On top of that
Meaning: Additionally
Explanation: Very casual
Example Sentence: He is late. On top of that, he forgot the report.
Best Use: Casual
Worst Use: Business writing
Tone: Friendly
15. Phrase: What’s more
Meaning: Furthermore
Explanation: Adds emphasis
Example Sentence: She is talented. What’s more, she is humble.
Best Use: Neutral
Worst Use: Very formal writing
Tone: Friendly
16. Phrase: To boot
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Informal and slightly old-fashioned
Example Sentence: It’s cheap and reliable to boot.
Best Use: Casual
Worst Use: Formal
Tone: Casual
17. Phrase: Over and above
Meaning: In addition
Explanation: Formal expression
Example Sentence: He works hard over and above expectations.
Best Use: Business
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Formal
18. Phrase: Together with
Meaning: Along with
Explanation: Neutral and clear
Example Sentence: She submitted the form together with documents.
Best Use: Formal/Neutral
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
19. Phrase: Including
Meaning: Containing as part
Explanation: Lists extra items
Example Sentence: The package includes books, including guides.
Best Use: All contexts
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
20. Phrase: As well as that
Meaning: Also
Explanation: Adds extra idea
Example Sentence: He is fast. As well as that, he is strong.
Best Use: Informal
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Friendly
21. Phrase: Beyond that
Meaning: More than that
Explanation: Adds deeper meaning
Example Sentence: It’s useful. Beyond that, it saves time.
Best Use: Neutral
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
22. Phrase: Equally important
Meaning: Just as important
Explanation: Shows balance
Example Sentence: Skill matters. Equally important is attitude.
Best Use: Formal
Worst Use: Casual
Tone: Formal
23. Phrase: Let alone
Meaning: Much less
Explanation: Shows stronger idea
Example Sentence: He can’t run a mile, let alone a marathon.
Best Use: Informal
Worst Use: Business writing
Tone: Emphatic
24. Phrase: Not just… but
Meaning: Same as “not only… but also”
Explanation: Slightly more casual
Example Sentence: She is not just smart but creative.
Best Use: All contexts
Worst Use: None
Tone: Neutral
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| As well as | Neutral | General use |
| In addition to | Formal | Business |
| Also | Neutral | Everyday |
| Moreover | Formal | Academic |
| Plus | Casual | Conversations |
| Not to mention | Emphatic | Informal |
| Additionally | Formal | Professional |
FAQs
What is the best formal alternative to “not only”?
“In addition to” and “moreover” are great for formal writing.
Can I use “also” instead of “not only”?
Yes, but it is simpler and less emphatic.
Is “plus” professional?
No, “plus” is mostly informal.
What is a casual way to say “not only”?
Try “not just… but” or “on top of that.”
Why should I learn alternatives?
They help you sound more fluent and avoid repetition.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say “not only” helps you improve your English quickly.
It makes your speech and writing more interesting and natural.
Some phrases are better for formal situations, while others work best in casual talk.
By practicing these synonyms for “not only”, you can choose the right words for every situation.
Try using a new phrase each day to build confidence and sound more like a native speaker.
Robert Evans is a passionate English language educator dedicated to helping learners improve their vocabulary and communication skills in a simple and effective way.
