Lesson 3: 不但...而且 Patterns
Express additive and cumulative relationships using 不但...而且, 既...又, and 不仅...还 at B1 level.
Overview
The three patterns in this lesson all express an additive relationship: "not only A, but also B." What distinguishes them is register, nuance, and the grammatical category of what they connect. 不但...而且 is the most versatile and appears in both speech and writing. 既...又 typically connects adjectives or verb phrases describing simultaneous states and tends toward formal or literary style. 不仅...还 emphasizes that B is an additional, sometimes surprising, point beyond A. Mastering all three lets you vary your expression and match the appropriate register.
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish the three additive patterns by register and the type of element they connect.
- Correctly position subjects when they are shared versus different across two clauses.
- Recognize the escalating relationship between the two clauses.
- Produce varied sentences in writing that avoid repetitive use of a single connector.
Vocabulary
| Character | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 不但 | bùdàn | conj | not only | 不但如此 |
| 而且 | érqiě | conj | but also, moreover | 而且很有用 |
| 既 | jì | conj | both...and (first element) | 既快又好 |
| 又 | yòu | adv/conj | and also, again | 又便宜又好用 |
| 不仅 | bùjǐn | conj | not only (formal) | 不仅如此 |
| 还 | hái | adv | still, also, in addition | 还有别的原因 |
| 而是 | érshì | conj | but rather | 不是A而是B |
| 同时 | tóngshí | adv/n | at the same time | 同时具备 |
| 具备 | jùbèi | v | to possess, have | 具备条件 |
| 优秀 | yōuxiù | adj | outstanding, excellent | 成绩优秀 |
| 全面 | quánmiàn | adj | comprehensive, all-round | 全面发展 |
| 提高 | tígāo | v | to improve, raise | 提高水平 |
| 加深 | jiāshēn | v | to deepen | 加深理解 |
| 拓展 | tuòzhǎn | v | to expand, broaden | 拓展视野 |
Grammar Focus
Pattern 1: 不但...而且
Structure: Subject + 不但 + VP1, (Subject) + 而且 + VP2
The two VPs escalate: the second point is more significant or surprising than the first. When the subject of both clauses is the same, it typically appears before 不但. When subjects differ, each clause has its own subject.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 她不但会说法语，而且还会说德语。 | Tā bùdàn huì shuō Fǎyǔ, érqiě hái huì shuō Déyǔ. | She can not only speak French, but also German. |
| 这本书不但内容丰富，而且语言生动。 | Zhè běn shū bùdàn nèiróng fēngfù, érqiě yǔyán shēngdòng. | This book is not only content-rich, but also vividly written. |
| 不但老师表扬了他，而且校长也专门来道贺。 | Bùdàn lǎoshī biǎoyáng le tā, érqiě xiàozhǎng yě zhuānmén lái dàohè. | Not only did the teacher praise him, but the principal also came specially to congratulate him. |
Common mistake: Many learners write 不但...但是, mixing up the two patterns. 但是 signals contrast; 而且 signals addition. Use 但是 only when you mean "however."
Pattern 2: 既...又
Structure: 既 + [Adj/VP] + 又 + [Adj/VP]
This pattern describes two coexisting qualities or actions. It is most natural with adjectives or short verbal phrases that describe simultaneous characteristics. The two elements should be parallel in structure.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 她既聪明又勤奋。 | Tā jì cōngmíng yòu qínfèn. | She is both intelligent and hardworking. |
| 这个方案既节省时间，又降低了成本。 | Zhège fāng'àn jì jiéshěng shíjiān, yòu jiàngdī le chéngběn. | This plan both saves time and reduces costs. |
| 他既是我的老师，又是我的朋友。 | Tā jì shì wǒ de lǎoshī, yòu shì wǒ de péngyou. | He is both my teacher and my friend. |
Common mistake: Do not use 既...又 when the second clause is a surprising escalation (that is 不但...而且 territory). 既...又 implies the two items are equally expected or balanced, not that B is more impressive than A.
Pattern 3: 不仅...还
Structure: Subject + 不仅 + VP1, (Subject) + 还 + VP2
不仅 is slightly more formal than 不但. 还 after it signals "in addition, on top of that." This pattern is common in written Chinese such as reports and academic texts. 不仅如此 (not only that) is a useful fixed phrase to introduce additional points.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这次会议不仅讨论了预算，还确定了新的发展方向。 | Zhè cì huìyì bùjǐn tǎolùn le yùsuàn, hái quèdìng le xīn de fāzhǎn fāngxiàng. | This meeting not only discussed the budget, but also determined the new direction of development. |
| 他不仅完成了任务，还提前交了报告。 | Tā bùjǐn wánchéng le rènwù, hái tíqián jiāo le bàogào. | He not only completed the task, but also submitted the report early. |
| 不仅如此，该公司还计划明年扩大规模。 | Bùjǐn rúcǐ, gāi gōngsī hái jìhuà míngnián kuòdà guīmó. | Not only that, the company also plans to expand its scale next year. |
Contrast with 不但...而且: 不仅...还 is preferred in formal writing. 不但...而且 works in both spoken and written contexts. In daily conversation, speakers often drop the connectives and just say 他很聪明，也很努力, relying on context.
Dialogue
Context: Two students discussing a classmate who just won a national scholarship.
A: 你知道陈静拿到全国奖学金了吗？
Nǐ zhīdào Chén Jìng ná dào quánguó jiǎngxuéjīn le ma?
Did you know Chen Jing received a national scholarship?
B: 知道，她真的太厉害了。不但成绩优秀，而且课外活动也参加了很多。
Zhīdào, tā zhēn de tài lìhai le. Bùdàn chéngjì yōuxiù, érqiě kèwài huódòng yě cānjiā le hěn duō.
I know, she's really impressive. Not only are her grades outstanding, but she's also involved in many extracurriculars.
A: 我记得她还在做兼职，对吗？
Wǒ jìde tā hái zài zuò jiānzhí, duì ma?
I remember she also does part-time work, right?
B: 对，她既要上课，又要工作，还要准备比赛，不知道她哪来这么多时间。
Duì, tā jì yào shàngkè, yòu yào gōngzuò, hái yào zhǔnbèi bǐsài, bù zhīdào tā nǎ lái zhème duō shíjiān.
Right, she has to attend classes, work, and also prepare for competitions. I don't know where she finds the time.
A: 不仅如此，听说她还在写一篇关于人工智能的论文。
Bùjǐn rúcǐ, tīngshuō tā hái zài xiě yī piān guānyú réngōng zhìnéng de lùnwén.
Not only that, I heard she's also writing a paper on artificial intelligence.
B: 真的假的？我不但不如她努力，而且连想法都没有她多。
Zhēn de jiǎ de? Wǒ bùdàn bùrú tā nǔlì, érqiě lián xiǎngfǎ dōu méiyǒu tā duō.
Seriously? I'm not only less hardworking than her, but I also don't have as many ideas as she does.
A: 她这个人既谦虚又有目标感，这才是真正厉害的地方。
Tā zhège rén jì qiānxū yòu yǒu mùbiāogǎn, zhè cái shì zhēnzhèng lìhai de dìfang.
She's both humble and goal-oriented. That's what's truly impressive about her.
B: 说得对。我得好好向她学习，不仅要提高成绩，还要拓展自己的视野。
Shuō de duì. Wǒ děi hǎohǎo xiàng tā xuéxí, bùjǐn yào tígāo chéngjì, hái yào tuòzhǎn zìjǐ de shìyě.
You're right. I should really learn from her, not just improve my grades but also broaden my horizons.
Extended Reading
现代社会对人才的要求越来越高。一个优秀的员工不但需要专业技能，而且还需要良好的沟通能力。很多企业在招聘时，不仅看重应聘者的学历，还会考察他们的实际工作能力。既有理论知识又有实践经验的人，在就业市场上往往更受欢迎。因此，年轻人在校期间应该全面发展，不仅要加深专业知识，还要积极拓展各方面的能力。
Xiàndài shèhuì duì réncái de yāoqiú yuèlái yuè gāo. Yīgè yōuxiù de yuángōng bùdàn xūyào zhuānyè jìnéng, érqiě hái xūyào liánghǎo de gōutōng nénglì. Hěn duō qǐyè zài zhāopìn shí, bùjǐn kànzhòng yìngpìnzhě de xuélì, hái huì kǎochá tāmen de shíjì gōngzuò nénglì. Jì yǒu lǐlùn zhīshì yòu yǒu shíjiàn jīngyàn de rén, zài jiùyè shìchǎng shàng wǎngwǎng gèng shòu huānyíng. Yīncǐ, niánqīngrén zài xiào qījiān yīnggāi quánmiàn fāzhǎn, bùjǐn yào jiāshēn zhuānyè zhīshì, hái yào jījí tuòzhǎn gè fāngmiàn de nénglì.
Modern society's demands on talent are getting higher and higher. An excellent employee needs not only professional skills but also good communication abilities. Many companies in their hiring process value not only applicants' educational background but also assess their practical work ability. People who have both theoretical knowledge and practical experience tend to be more sought after in the job market. Therefore, young people should develop comprehensively during their school years, not only deepening their professional knowledge but also actively broadening their abilities in various areas.
Practice
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with 不但...而且, 既...又, or 不仅...还.
- 这个城市___ 历史悠久，___现代设施完善。
- 她___会唱歌，___会跳舞。（simultaneous qualities）
- 这次活动___吸引了国内观众，___引起了国际关注。（formal register）
Exercise 2: Identify the error and correct it.
- 他不但跑得快，但是跳得也高。
- 这本书既非常有趣，又非常地长。
- 不仅如此，而且他还很聪明。
Exercise 3: Write sentences using all three patterns.
Write one sentence for each pattern about a person you admire. Each sentence should be at least 15 characters long.
Cultural Note
Additive connectives in Chinese are far more common in formal speech and writing than in casual conversation. In everyday speech, Chinese speakers often drop the connective entirely and rely on juxtaposition: 她聪明，也努力. The explicit use of 不但...而且 or 不仅...还 in speech signals that the speaker is making a deliberate rhetorical point, often in presentations, arguments, or persuasive contexts. Recognizing when these connectives appear tells you as much about the speaker's intent as about the content itself.