GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜だけでなく
Introduces one item and then extends the same quality or scope to another item.
Examples
この作業は知識だけでなく、経験も必要だ。
This task requires not only knowledge but also experience.
Words used
彼女は日本語だけでなく、中国語も話せる。
She can speak not only Japanese but also Chinese.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
だけでなくafter a noun or a plain-form clause to extend what holds to another item. - Basic usage:
この作業は知識だけでなく、経験も必要だ。states that both knowledge and experience are needed.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Addition and replacement
知識だけでなく経験もadds experience while keeping knowledge included. It differs from知識ではなく経験が, which rejects the first item in favor of another.
- Connecting more than nouns
安いだけでなく便利だpresents price and convenience together. A na-adjective can connect as in静かなだけでなくto add another characteristic.