jo vetëm... por edhe
Complex Correlative 'Jo Vetëm... Por Edhe...'
The structure jo vetëm... por edhe... (not only... but also...) is used to connect two words, phrases, or clauses. It signals that the second part is an important addition to the first.
How It Works
The correlative jo vetëm... por edhe... is a core feature of Standard Albanian used across various registers, including journalism, literature, and formal speech. It allows a speaker to expand the scope of a statement by adding a second, often more significant, piece of information.
1. Syntactic Parallelism:
The elements following each part of the conjunction must match grammatically. If you use a noun in the accusative case after jo vetëm, you must use the same case after por edhe.
- Nouns: Jo vetëm studentët, por edhe profesorët...
- Adjectives: Ishte jo vetëm i shpejtë, por edhe i saktë.
2. Linking Clauses:
When linking full sentences or verbal phrases, the particle që is often added to the first part: jo vetëm që.... This is common when the subject is performing two different actions.
3. Punctuation and Variants:
In Standard Albanian orthography, a comma is strictly required before the second part of the correlative. While por edhe is most common, the variant po edhe is a synonymous standard alternative frequently found in formal texts.
4. Negative Contexts:
When the statement involves negation, the second part of the correlative often shifts to por as... (but neither/not even). For example: Jo vetëm që nuk punon, por as nuk studion (Not only does he not work, but he doesn't even study).
5. The Position of 'Edhe':
While por edhe often appears as a fixed unit, the word edhe can be moved further into the second clause for stylistic emphasis, especially when linking full clauses. For example: Jo vetëm që u largua, por mori edhe librat me vete.
Examples (6)
- Ky projekt ndihmon jo vetëm fëmijët, por edhe prindërit.
This project helps not only the children, but also the parents.
Word by Word: This project helps not only children, but also parents.
Here, the correlative links two nouns in the accusative case.
- Ai jo vetëm që erdhi, por edhe na ndihmoi shumë.
He not only came, but also helped us a lot.
Word by Word: He not only that came, but also us helped much.
When linking verbs, the particle që is used after 'jo vetëm'.
- Libri ishte jo vetëm interesant, po edhe edukativ.
The book was not only interesting, but also educational.
Word by Word: The book was not only interesting, but also educational.
This example uses the standard variant 'po edhe' instead of 'por edhe'.
- Jo vetëm që nuk erdhi, por as nuk telefonoi.
Not only did he not come, but he didn't even call.
Word by Word: Not only that not came, but neither not phoned.
In negative contexts, 'por as' (but neither/not even) is used to graduate the negation.
- Jo vetëm që u ndërtuan shkolla, por u hapën edhe spitale të reja.
Not only were schools built, but new hospitals were also opened.
Word by Word: Not only that were built schools, but were opened also hospitals of new.
In this sentence, 'edhe' is separated from 'por' and placed after the verb for emphasis.
- Tradita është e rëndësishme jo vetëm si zakon, por edhe si respekt.
Tradition is important not only as a custom, but also as respect.
Word by Word: Tradition is of important not only as custom, but also as respect.
The pattern is used here to link two prepositional phrases starting with 'si' (as).
Common Mistakes
Omitting the mandatory comma.
Ai është jo vetëm i zgjuar por edhe i sjellshëm.Ai është jo vetëm i zgjuar, por edhe i sjellshëm.In standard Albanian punctuation, a comma comes before 'por' in this correlative structure.
Lack of grammatical parallelism.
Më pëlqen jo vetëm muzika, por edhe të kërcej.Më pëlqen jo vetëm muzika, por edhe kërcimi.The first element is a noun (muzika), so the second should also be a noun (kërcimi) rather than a subjunctive verb phrase (të kërcej).
How It Connects
Learn This First
The correlative 'Jo vetëm... por edhe...' (Not only... but also...) requires a solid understanding of basic conjunctions and negation. Learners must be comfortable with the individual components 'jo' (no/not), 'por' (but), and 'edhe' (also/even) to correctly link and emphasize two related elements in a sentence.
- nukNegation with 'Nuk'
Understanding basic negation is essential as 'jo' functions as the negative component in the first part of the correlative pair.
Foundations - Concessive Conjunctions
Familiarity with the additive particle 'edhe' is necessary to understand its role in the second part of the correlative structure 'por edhe'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- porConjunction 'Por'
The base conjunction 'por' (but) forms the second half of this correlative pattern.
Foundations - dheConjunction 'Dhe'
The word 'edhe' is an emphatic form of 'dhe' (and), used here to reinforce the addition.
Foundations - se / qëConjunctions 'Se' and 'Që'
The particle 'që' is often required when 'jo vetëm' introduces a full clause.
Level 1 - sa... aqCorrelative 'Sa... Aq...'
Another correlative pattern used to show proportional relationships (as much as... so much...).
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice jo vetëm... por edhe in Bubblegum
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