Why does 'not only… but also' sound like AI writing?

AI uses this construction repeatedly on the same page to sound comprehensive. Humans vary their sentence structure more. When you see it multiple times in a few paragraphs, it signals automated content.

Is 'not only… but also' grammatically wrong?

No, it's grammatically correct. The problem isn't correctness, it's overuse. AI leans on it as a default way to list benefits or features, making pages feel formulaic.

What are better ways to say 'not only… but also'?

State both points plainly: 'Exercise improves physical health and enhances mental wellbeing.' Or split them: 'Exercise improves physical health. It's also one of the best treatments for mild depression.' Both are more natural.

How many times is too many for 'not only… but also'?

Once per page is fine. Twice starts to feel repetitive. Three or more times signals AI writing. Human writers instinctively vary their transitions.

What's another way to phrase 'not only… but also'?

Use simpler alternatives: 'X does A and B,' 'Both A and B happen,' or just list them as separate sentences. These feel more conversational and less like a template.

Moderate AI signalTransitions

Is “not only… but also” an AI construction?

Q: What can I say instead of "not only… but also"?

Natural alternatives include: State both points plainly, X does A and B, Split into two sentences. Pick the one that fits your meaning.

Everything about “not only… but also” as an AI writing signal, how strongly it's associated with generated text, why it reads as artificial, and what to write instead.

Quick answer

Partly, "not only… but also" is common in AI writing, but humans use it too. Density is what matters. It's grammatically fine but AI deploys it multiple times per page, creating a see-saw rhythm human writers avoid.

Is “not only… but also” associated with AI writing?

Moderately associated, a balanced construction AI reaches for constantly to sound comprehensive.

Why it sounds artificial

It's grammatically fine but AI deploys it multiple times per page, creating a see-saw rhythm human writers avoid.

What to say instead of “not only… but also”

State both points plainlyX does A and BSplit into two sentences

Example rewrite

AI-flavored

Exercise not only improves physical health but also enhances mental wellbeing.

Human

Exercise improves physical health, and it's one of the best-studied treatments for mild depression.

Check your own text for “not only… but also”

Runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded. For all 221 AI phrases at once, use the full AI Phrase Checker.

Don't rewrite it by hand

Paste your draft and get natural, human-sounding writing in seconds. “not only… but also” and 220 other AI tells handled automatically.

Try the Humanizer Open the Phrase Checker

Using “not only… but also” doesn't mean your text was written by AI, humans coined it. It means the phrase is statistically over-represented in AI output, so heavy use can make writing read as generated. Treat this page as editing guidance, not a verdict.

EssayToneBuilt by ex-Stanford researchers, EssayTone uses advanced humanization technology to help students write naturally and confidently.

Company

Tools

AI Phrase Checker

Made with ❤️ in San Francisco