3 · Linking clauses
Not only … but also: búdàn … érqiě
adding a second point to a first
Búdàn sets up a first point and érqiě adds a second, usually a stronger one.
不但 introduces a first point and 而且 adds a second one on top of it: 这家店不但便宜，而且很干净, “this shop is not only cheap but also clean”. The second clause is often strengthened with 也 or 还 after its subject: 他不但会说中文，而且还会写.
Where 不但 stands depends on how many subjects there are. With one subject that does both things, the subject comes first and 不但 follows it. With two different subjects, 不但 goes in front of the first and 而且 in front of the second: 不但我喜欢，而且我妈妈也喜欢. The position shows what is being added — another quality of the same person, or another person.
English “not only” can float almost anywhere, which is why this rule catches English speakers. Put 不但 after the subject when the subject stays the same; put it in front when the subject changes.
The second point usually goes further than the first. 不仅 is a more written synonym of 不但, and 不光 a more spoken one. 而且 also works alone, meaning “what is more”: 今天很冷，而且还下着雨.
The form
| one subject | 他不但会说中文，而且说得很好。 |
| with 还 | 这家店不但便宜，而且还很干净。 |
| two subjects | 不但我喜欢，而且我妈妈也喜欢。 |
| written: 不仅 | 这本书不仅有用，而且有趣。 |
| 而且 alone | 今天很冷，而且还下着雨。 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
不但 introduces the first point and 而且 the second; 也 or 还 often reinforces the second.
她不但会弹钢琴，而且还会唱歌。She can not only play the piano but sing as well.
With one subject, the subject comes first and 不但 follows it.
这套房子不但大，而且离地铁站很近。This flat is not only big but also close to the underground station.
With two different subjects, each conjunction stands in front of its own subject.
不但学生喜欢这位老师，而且家长也很喜欢她。Not only do the students like this teacher — the parents like her too.
The second point usually goes further than the first.
他不但帮我找到了房子，而且还帮我搬了家。He not only found me a flat — he even helped me move in.
A closer look
Three words for “not only”
不但 is the everyday word and fits everywhere. 不仅 is a little more formal and is the usual choice in writing and in speeches. 不光 is colloquial — common in northern speech and relaxed conversation.
All three pair with 而且, and in speech the second clause often drops 而且 and keeps only 也 or 还: 他不但会开车，还会修车, “he can not only drive but repair cars too”.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the first half is negative and the second goes the other way
the second half takes 反而, “on the contrary”, instead of 而且.
雨不但没停，反而越下越大了。Far from stopping, the rain got heavier and heavier.
而且 adds something in the same direction. When the result is the opposite of what was expected, Chinese needs a word that turns the sentence round.
How to spot it
- 不但
- 不仅
- 而且
- 不但…而且…
Example sentences
这个手机不但便宜，而且很好用。This phone is not only cheap but also easy to use.
他不但是我的同事，而且是我的邻居。He is not only my colleague but also my neighbour.
不但我没去过，而且我的朋友们也都没去过。Not only have I never been there — none of my friends have either.
今天不但下雨，而且还刮大风。Today it is not only raining but blowing a gale as well.
学一门外语不仅有用，而且很有意思。Learning a foreign language is not only useful but also great fun.
她不但自己学得好，而且常常帮助别人。She not only does well in her own studies but often helps others too.
7 more example sentences
他不但会开车，而且开得很稳。He can not only drive — he drives very steadily.
这条路不但远，而且不好走。This route is not only long but hard going too.
不但孩子们爱看这个节目，而且大人也爱看。Not only do children love this programme — adults do too.
这件事不仅对你重要，而且对我们大家都重要。This matters not only to you but to all of us.
他今天不但迟到了，而且忘了带作业。Today he was not only late but forgot his homework as well.
那家酒店不但房间大，而且服务也好。That hotel not only has big rooms — the service is good too.
多走路不但对身体好，而且能让人心情变好。Walking more is not only good for your body, it also lifts your mood.
Worth knowing (1)
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“And” between adjectives is not hé
和 joins nouns: 我和你, 茶和咖啡. Two adjectives or two clauses are joined with 而且, or with 又 … 又, not with 和.
这里的水果新鲜而且便宜。The fruit here is fresh and cheap.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
The two halves have different subjects — me and my sister — so 不但 has to stand in front of the first one. After 我 it promises a second thing that I do, and the sentence then breaks that promise.
One subject: put it before búdàn. Two subjects: búdàn and érqiě each go in front of their own.
Your turn
8 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.