Usage of "not only... but also..."

[nessie]

Hi,
Should the verb after "not only... but also..." follow the first or the second subject?

i.e:

Not only the teacher but also the students (want) the best result.

Regards
Nessie
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Haihao]

In your example, I think it should follow the second.

[Jamie (K)]

I think it should follow the second subject in your sentence.

Notice that you can also say:

"Not only does the teacher want the best result, but the students do also."
"Not only does the teacher want the best result, but the students do too."
"Not only does the teacher want the best result, but so do the students."

This eliminates your problem of figuring out which subject to conjugate the verb for.

[nessie]

Thank you very much, Jamie and Haihao

In your responses you said: "I think it should follow the subject IN YOUR SENTENCE". So I just want to ask whether it is the rule for verbs to follow the second subject in the structure "not only... but also...", or it's just in my very sentence.

Many thanks
Nessie

[Barb_D]

I suggest making it agree with the part of the subject that comes closest to the verb, the way you would with a compound subject joined by "or."

This site (http://southhill.vsb.bc.ca/Departments/Upgrading/SKILLS3/gpoint21.htm) agrees: For example, take the sentence Not only Kathy but also her brothers are going to the party. The subject closest to the verb is brothers. The verb is are. Do they agree? Yes they do. If the sentence read Not only Kathy but also her brother, then the simple subject closest to the verb would be brother and the verb would have to be changed to is.

So does this: http://www.myenglishteacher.net/subject_verb_agreement.html -- If you use either-or, look at the subject closest to the verb. If the subject closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb; likewise, if the subject is plural, use a plural verb. This also applies to not only. . .but also, and neither. . .nor. The subject closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural. Not only Julie but also all of the grandchildren want to visit grandma.