Advanced Conjunctions in English

Advanced Conjunctions in English: How to Use Not Only… But Also, Hardly… When & More

There comes a moment in every English learner’s life when simple sentences are no longer enough. 

“I was tired, but I finished.”

“He arrived, and we started.”

“She is smart, and she is kind.”

Perfectly correct. Perfectly… ordinary.

Advanced English is not about using more complicated words. It is about connecting ideas in more subtle, elegant, and precise ways. And this is where advanced conjunctions and fixed structures come in — especially beautiful patterns like:

• not only … but also
• hardly … when
• no sooner … than
• scarcely … when
• whether … or
• both … and
• either … or

These structures are extremely common in B2 and C1 writing (B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE)), formal speaking, essays, articles, stories, and reports — and they are loved by Cambridge examiners.

Let’s explore them one by one.

Not only … but also (emphasis & balance)

Structure: not only + first idea + but also + second idea

Meaning: Used to add emphasis and show that something is true in two ways, often in a surprising or impressive way.

• She is not only intelligent, but also incredibly kind.
• This job is not only well-paid but also meaningful.

When not only starts the sentence, we use inversion:

• Not only is he talented, but he is also extremely hardworking.
• Not only did she finish the project, but she also helped the rest of the team.

Style tip: This structure is perfect for essays, articles, reviews, formal stories and conclusions. It makes your writing sound confident, balanced, and rhetorical.

Hardly … when (something happens immediately)

Structure: Hardly + had + subject + past participle … when + past simple

• Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang.
• Hardly had we arrived when it started to rain.

Meaning: Used to show that one action happened almost immediately after another. It adds a dramatic, narrative, story-like tone.

Important: This structure always uses inversion.

❌ Hardly I had arrived when…

✅ Hardly had I arrived when…

No sooner … than (formal & dramatic)

Structure: No sooner + had + subject + past participle … than + past simple

• No sooner had he opened the door than he realised something was wrong.
• No sooner had we finished dinner than the lights went out.

Meaning: Very similar to hardly … when, but slightly more formal and dramatic.

This is perfect for stories, articles, formal narratives and B2-C1-level writing

Scarcely … when (literary & elegant)

Structure: Scarcely + had + subject + past participle … when

• Scarcely had she fallen asleep when the baby started crying.

Both … and (balanced addition)

Structure: both + A + and + B

• She is both creative and
• The film was both funny and touching.

It is used to show two qualities, ideas, or actions together.

Either … or / neither … nor

Structure: either + A + or + B

neither + A + nor + B

• You can either stay here or come with us.
• He is neither rude nor unfriendly — just shy.

These are perfect for arguments, choices, comparisons and essays.

Whether … or (uncertainty & alternatives)

Structure: whether + A + or + B

• I don’t know whether to stay or
• Whether we win or lose, we should be proud.

Knowing advanced conjunctions in English will help you connect ideas more elegantly, create emphasis and rhythm, sound more natural and academic, write more advanced essays and articles and reach C1-level style.

Cambridge exam tip (B2–C1)

Examiners LOVE:

• Not only … but also with inversion
• Hardly / No sooner / Scarcely for narratives
• Balanced structures like both … and, either … or

Use one or two per text — not ten. Like spices, not like salt.

Advanced English is not about showing off. It is about saying simple things in beautifully structured ways. And these conjunction patterns are exactly that – old, elegant tools that still make modern English shine.

Download the worksheet with exercise in PDF – advanced conjunctions in English

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how or where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!