不但 … ，而且 … (not only … but also)
IntroducedTwo points can concern different people
- You describe a household in which both siblings can speak Chinese.
- not only不但older brother哥哥can / will会Chinese language中文，but also而且younger sister妹妹also也can / will会。 — The second clause adds the sister's ability to the brother's.
You describe a household in which both siblings can speak Chinese. What does 不但哥哥会中文，而且妹妹也会。 communicate?
The second clause adds the sister's ability to the brother's. Place 不但 before the first subject when the subjects differ. With a shared subject, 他不但会中文，而且会英文 is natural. The frame need not always describe only one subject.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is not only不但 … ，but also而且 … (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.
this这(measure word)个dish菜not only不但cheap便宜，but also而且tasty好吃。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Not only cheap, but also tasty: 不但便宜，____ 好吃。
不但 … ，而且 … = not only …, but also …: 不但便宜,而且好吃.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, not only不但older brother哥哥can / will会Chinese language中文，but also而且younger sister妹妹also也can / will会。: The second clause adds the sister's ability to the brother's.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 而且 do?
而且 adds on: 不但便宜，而且好吃 (cheap AND tasty).
Build: “Not only cheap, but also tasty.”
不但 … ，而且 …: 不但便宜 + 而且 + 好吃.
Know the boundary
- Place not only不但 before the first subject when the subjects differ.
- With a shared subject, he / him他not only不但can / will会Chinese language中文，but also而且can / will会English (language)英文 is natural. The frame need not always describe only one subject.
不但…而且… can link clauses about different subjects, as in 不但哥哥会中文，而且妹妹也会.
With different subjects, 不但 precedes the first subject. A shared-subject sentence can put 不但 after the subject.
不但…而且… can never link clauses with different subjects.
Place 不但 before the first subject when the subjects differ. With a shared subject, 他不但会中文，而且会英文 is natural. The frame need not always describe only one subject. The second clause adds the sister's ability to the brother's.
Use the distinction
- The second clause adds the sister's ability to the brother's.
- Place not only不但 before the first subject when the subjects differ. With a shared subject, he / him他not only不但can / will会Chinese language中文，but also而且can / will会English (language)英文 is natural. The frame need not always describe only one subject.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Complex sentence patterns.
You describe a household in which both siblings can speak Chinese. 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.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.