Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.
不但 / 不仅 … ，而且 / 还 / 也 … (not only … but also)
Add another fact without making it stronger
- A person speaks Chinese and also English.
- 他不但会中文，还会英文。 — The second ability is added to the first.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 不但 / 不仅 … ，而且 / 还 / 也 … (not only … but also). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
he他not only不但can会Chinese中文，also还can会English英文。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, 他不但会中文，还会英文。: The second ability is added to the first.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- The added point need not be stronger or more positive.
- 而且, 还 and 也 require suitable word order and are not freely swapped in every sentence position.
Use the distinction
- The second ability is added to the first.
- The added point need not be stronger or more positive. 而且, 还 and 也 require suitable word order and are not freely swapped in every sentence position.
Try it with help closed
A person speaks Chinese and also English. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
One possible response: 他不但会中文，还会英文。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- The added point need not be stronger or more positive.
- 而且, 还 and 也 require suitable word order and are not freely swapped in every sentence position.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.