Finding the right words can make your message feel warm, caring, and truly personal. Sometimes, the phrase “not only” feels too formal or predictable. That’s why having softer, more expressive alternatives can help you communicate with more heart, clarity, and connection. Below are 30 thoughtful substitutes, each explained in simple English with real examples.
What Does “Not Only” Mean?
“Not only” is used to show that one statement is true, and another related statement is also true, usually to add emphasis or highlight more than one positive point.
When to Use “Not Only”
Use “not only” when you want to:
- Emphasize two strong qualities
- Show appreciation with depth
- Add more weight to your message
- Highlight surprising or meaningful additions
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “Not Only”?
Yes — it’s polite and acceptable in both professional and personal communication.
However, alternatives often sound warmer, more modern, and more human.
Pros or Cons of Using “Not Only”
Pros:
- Clear and widely understood
- Works in business or personal settings
- Easy to pair with “but also”
Cons:
- Can sound stiff
- Overused
- Not always emotionally warm
Synonyms For “Not Only”
- Along With
- As Well As
- More Than That
- Plus
- On Top of That
- In Addition to That
- Beyond That
- Added to This
- Not Just That
- Better Yet
- What’s More
- Even More So
- To Go Even Further
- Alongside This
- Besides That
- To Add to That
- Even Beyond That
- Even Better
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- Equally Important
- Just as Much
- Another Thing Is
- Something Else to Note
- In the Same Way
1. Along With
Meaning: Shows that something comes together or in addition.
Tone: Warm, gentle, supportive.
Detailed Explanation:
Use this phrase when you want to show that two positive actions or qualities appear side by side in a caring, natural way.
Scenario Example:
“She shared advice along with a comforting smile.”
Best Use: Appreciation, emotional messages, teamwork.
When Not to Use: When you need strong emphasis or surprise.
2. As Well As
Meaning: Adds another point smoothly and softly.
Tone: Calm, polite, friendly.
Detailed Explanation:
A simple, easy-to-use phrase that fits well in both personal and semi-formal communication.
Scenario Example:
“He offered solutions as well as reassurance.”
Best Use: Emails, conversations, supportive messages.
When Not to Use: When you want dramatic emphasis.
3. More Than That
Meaning: Adds emotional emphasis to the second point.
Tone: Warm, deep, heartfelt.
Detailed Explanation:
Perfect when expressing gratitude or telling a meaningful story.
Scenario Example:
“She listened to me — more than that, she truly understood me.”
Best Use: Emotional sharing, heartfelt conversations.
When Not to Use: Strictly formal writing.
4. Plus
Meaning: Easily adds another idea.
Tone: Light, casual, friendly.
Detailed Explanation:
A simple way to add information without sounding formal.
Scenario Example:
“He helped me with the project, plus, he stayed extra hours.”
Best Use: Casual talks, friendly messages.
When Not to Use: Professional reports or formal letters.
5. On Top of That
Meaning: Shows an impactful additional point.
Tone: Expressive, engaging, emotional.
Detailed Explanation:
Great when you want to highlight something impressive or surprising.
Scenario Example:
“The team finished early, and on top of that, they improved the design.”
Best Use: Storytelling, appreciation.
When Not to Use: Very formal communication.
6. In Addition to That
Meaning: Formal way to add more information.
Tone: Professional, polished, clear.
Detailed Explanation:
A clean, structured phrase perfect for official writing.
Scenario Example:
“He completed the report. In addition to that, he prepared next week’s plan.”
Best Use: Work emails, reports, presentations.
When Not to Use: Casual conversations.
7. Beyond That
Meaning: Suggests something goes further or deeper.
Tone: Reflective, sincere, thoughtful.
Detailed Explanation:
Great when describing qualities that have emotional depth.
Scenario Example:
“She offered help, and beyond that, she offered real encouragement.”
Best Use: Personal messages, heartfelt writing.
When Not to Use: Simple factual statements.
8. Added to This
Meaning: Introduces another supportive point.
Tone: Neutral, clear, structured.
Detailed Explanation:
Helps you organize your thoughts when giving multiple points.
Scenario Example:
“He managed the tasks, and added to this, he checked in with everyone.”
Best Use: Explanations, formal conversations.
When Not to Use: Emotional talk.
9. Not Just That
Meaning: Emphasizes there’s more to come.
Tone: Friendly, expressive, warm.
Detailed Explanation:
This adds a conversational feel while building anticipation.
Scenario Example:
“She brought lunch, and not just that, she stayed to keep me company.”
Best Use: Storytelling, casual chats.
When Not to Use: Strictly professional tone.
10. Better Yet
Meaning: Shows an even stronger or improved point.
Tone: Encouraging, positive, uplifting.
Detailed Explanation:
Great for highlighting improvements or wonderful surprises.
Scenario Example:
“He apologized, and better yet, he took action to fix it.”
Best Use: Positive updates, appreciation.
When Not to Use: Very serious or heavy discussions.
11. What’s More
Meaning: Adds a surprising or important additional point.
Tone: Engaging, expressive, slightly formal.
Detailed Explanation:
Use this when you want to smoothly introduce another meaningful detail. It sounds confident and helps your message feel well-rounded.
Scenario Example:
“He completed the task early. What’s more, he double-checked everything for accuracy.”
Best Use: Presentations, emails, confident statements.
When Not to Use: Very casual or playful conversations.
12. Even More So
Meaning: Highlights a deeper or stronger level of emphasis.
Tone: Reflective, emotional, meaningful.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase works beautifully when comparing two positive qualities and showing that the second one stands out even more.
Scenario Example:
“I admire your patience — even more so your kindness.”
Best Use: Appreciation, emotional communication, personal messages.
When Not to Use: Technical or dry content.
13. To Go Even Further
Meaning: Introduces an added point that strengthens the message.
Tone: Deep, thoughtful, supportive.
Detailed Explanation:
Use this when explaining how someone’s actions went beyond expectations in a caring and meaningful way.
Scenario Example:
“She gave helpful advice. To go even further, she stayed until I felt confident.”
Best Use: Heartfelt messages, storytelling, gratitude.
When Not to Use: Short, factual statements.
Read More:30 Other Ways to Say ‘Save the Date’ (With Examples)
14. Alongside This
Meaning: Shows two things happening at the same time or supporting each other.
Tone: Balanced, warm, organized.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase adds a sense of partnership or unity between two points, which makes it great for teamwork or appreciation.
Scenario Example:
“He sent the updates, and alongside this, he followed up personally.”
Best Use: Team communication, supportive language.
When Not to Use: When the ideas are not actually related.
15. Besides That
Meaning: Offers another point in a casual and friendly way.
Tone: Light, conversational, easygoing.
Detailed Explanation:
Perfect for everyday talk, this phrase helps you transition smoothly to an extra detail without sounding formal.
Scenario Example:
“She’s very reliable. Besides that, she’s incredibly patient.”
Best Use: Friendly chats, informal writing.
When Not to Use: Professional or formal communication.
16. To Add to That
Meaning: Introduces another related and supportive detail.
Tone: Warm, sincere, appreciative.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase is thoughtful and works well when showing extra appreciation or describing ongoing support.
Scenario Example:
“He helped me prepare. To add to that, he reassured me when I felt nervous.”
Best Use: Appreciation, supportive messages, gentle explanations.
When Not to Use: Strictly formal reports.
17. Even Beyond That
Meaning: Shows that someone or something goes further than expected.
Tone: Emotional, expressive, heartfelt.
Detailed Explanation:
Use this when describing deep effort, kindness, or meaningful actions that truly stand out.
Scenario Example:
“You guided me through the process — and even beyond that, you encouraged me every step.”
Best Use: Gratitude, emotional storytelling, strong appreciation.
When Not to Use: Technical or factual content.
18. Even Better
Meaning: Introduces a more positive or improved point.
Tone: Upbeat, positive, encouraging.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase helps highlight enhancements, upgrades, or delightful surprises.
Scenario Example:
“She explained everything clearly. Even better, she checked that I fully understood.”
Best Use: Good news, progress updates, praise.
When Not to Use: Serious or sensitive conversations.
19. Furthermore
Meaning: Adds another important point in a formal way.
Tone: Professional, confident, polished.
Detailed Explanation:
It works well in structured writing and adds credibility to your message.
Scenario Example:
“The strategy is effective. Furthermore, it reduces future risks.”
Best Use: Reports, business writing, academic work.
When Not to Use: Casual or emotional messages.
20. Moreover
Meaning: Adds a point of equal importance with strong emphasis.
Tone: Formal, serious, authoritative.
Detailed Explanation:
Great for building arguments or strengthening explanations in a professional tone.
Scenario Example:
“The proposal is affordable. Moreover, it fits long-term goals.”
Best Use: Presentations, proposals, reports.
When Not to Use: Friendly or informal conversations.
21. Equally Important
Meaning: Highlights that two ideas matter the same.
Tone: Fair, thoughtful, balanced.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase is especially helpful in appreciation, feedback, or any message that values multiple qualities.
Scenario Example:
“He is reliable. Equally important, he is respectful to everyone.”
Best Use: Feedback, acknowledgments, supportive communication.
When Not to Use: When the second point is not equally important.
22. Just as Much
Meaning: Shows equal value or appreciation.
Tone: Emotional, warm, appreciative.
Detailed Explanation:
Great for deep gratitude or emotional clarity, especially when comparing meaningful qualities.
Scenario Example:
“I value your honesty — just as much as your patience.”
Best Use: Personal conversations, heartfelt messages.
When Not to Use: Formal business writing.
23. Another Thing Is
Meaning: Introduces an extra point in a friendly way.
Tone: Casual, approachable, simple.
Detailed Explanation:
Perfect for natural, human conversations where you want to add a gentle transition.
Scenario Example:
“She’s great at solving problems. Another thing is, she keeps everyone calm.”
Best Use: Everyday talk, stories, messages between friends.
When Not to Use: Professional emails or reports.
24. Something Else to Note
Meaning: Adds another helpful or important detail.
Tone: Clear, caring, informative.
Detailed Explanation:
Use this when you want to guide someone thoughtfully through information without sounding harsh.
Scenario Example:
“The meeting will be short. Something else to note is that the plan will be shared afterward.”
Best Use: Instructions, advice, soft-tone clarification.
When Not to Use: Emotional or expressive communication.
25. In the Same Way
Meaning: Connects two similar qualities or actions.
Tone: Warm, gentle, fair.
Detailed Explanation:
This phrase brings harmony to your message by showing similarities in positive behavior or qualities.
Scenario Example:
“She listens with care. In the same way, she responds with kindness.”
Best Use: Appreciation, feedback, personal communication.
When Not to Use: When the two ideas are not actually alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What can I use instead of “not only”?
You can use many warm and expressive alternatives such as along with, more than that, what’s more, even beyond that, or in addition to that. These phrases help your message feel more personal and natural.
2. Is “not only” too formal for everyday conversation?
Not really — but it can sound a bit stiff. Softer alternatives like besides that or plus often feel more natural in casual conversations.
3. Can I use these synonyms in professional writing?
Yes, especially options like furthermore, moreover, in addition to that, and equally important. These keep your message clear and professional.
4. Which alternative is best for emotional or heartfelt messages?
Warm choices like more than that, even beyond that, or just as much help your message feel more caring and sincere.
5. Do these alternatives help improve writing quality?
Absolutely. Using different phrasing helps you sound more natural, avoids repetition, and creates a more engaging tone — whether you’re writing emails, stories, or heartfelt notes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right words helps your message feel personal, caring, and truly connected. While “not only” is useful, it can sometimes feel too formal or overused. The alternatives in this guide give you more freedom to express warmth, depth, and authenticity — whether you’re writing to someone you appreciate, communicating with a team, or sharing something meaningful.
Using thoughtful language shows attention, empathy, and understanding. With these 30 alternatives, you can speak in a way that feels more human, more genuine, and more aligned with how you truly want to connect with others.
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