Not only..but also construction question. Source: GMAT Prep

[jrikhraj]

Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also caused erosion and very quickly deforested whole regions.\

A. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
B. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast), which gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
C. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States, creating farmland (especially in the Northeast) and giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
D. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States created farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
E. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States not only created farmland (especially in the Northeast), giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it

This question has been discussed before in this forum but the explanations are not clear. Hopefully we can getter a better explanation from the experts this time.

The OA IS D

[uwhusky]

Not exactly sure what your question is, but I guess you're questioning why correct answer D is not using the idiom, "not only...but also...".

Per Ron said in his explanation: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/not ... t3129.html

"Not only...but also..." is used to reinforced similar points, similar being the key. In this question, the first two scenarios listed are contrasting the last one, thus the conjunction "but" is used. GMAT was trying to confused us by tossing in the idiom in the incorrect answer choices, but if you ignore the idiom for a moment, you should be able to see why "but" is the correct conjunction by itself.

[Maciek]

Hi!

This question is tricky. Not only does it test your knowledge about usage of paired conjunction 'not only ... but also', but
it also tests your knowledge about parallelism, modifiers, and logic of the sentence.

(A) "did... create... and gave" verbs are not parallel
(B) modifier error
(C) 'but' is a conjunction and indicates contract. The clauses before 'but' are not real sentences. This answer is illogical.
(D) It is correct.
(E) incorrect usage of paired conjunction 'not only ... but also'


Read "Top 10 Tips for the Sentence Correction Section" by Chris Black
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... on-section

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

[jrikhraj]

Thanks guys! this helps

[paddle_sweep]

Could you please underline the portion of the question which needs correction?

[gmat_perfect]

Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also caused erosion and very quickly deforested whole regions.\

A. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
B. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast), which gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
C. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States, creating farmland (especially in the Northeast) and giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
D. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States created farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
E. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States not only created farmland (especially in the Northeast), giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it

This question has been discussed before in this forum but the explanations are not clear. Hopefully we can getter a better explanation from the experts this time.

The OA IS D

The easiest approach:

1. If "not only" is used before subject, the pronoun referring to the subject (here, it) should be used after "but" and before also.

Example:

Not only Karim helps them but he also manages jobs for them.

==> This kills B and C, and E.

2. Create and gave are not parallel in the option A.

==> This kills A.

Answer is D.