Richard is not only a terrific pianist but also great at playing hock

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION


• HIGHLIGHTS
→ The idiom tested is Not Only X But Also Y
This idiom is a correlative conjunction. Whatever follows each conjunction must be parallel.
The words "not only" are the parallelism marker.
Finally, whatever is attached to the X element does not automatically "carry over" to the Y element.

→ For the record, we can have "but also" without "not only."
SPOILER ALERT: In this official question, here, the correct answer uses but also without not only.
That question is tough because some of the options do contain the not only/but also construction.

THE PROMPT


THE OPTIONS


• a pianist (noun) is not parallel to great [at playing hockey] (an adjective phrase)
ELIMINATE A

• Same as A: a pianist (noun) is not parallel to great at playing hockey (adjective phrase)
• I highlighted the placement of "is" because I doubt you will be asked to decide whether that construction is correct; the answer is too controversial.
→ So, alternatively, option B is problematic because the "not only" part is followed by is, a verb, whereas the "but [is] also" part is followed by great at playing hockey (an adjective phrase).
→ the verb is lands "twice inside" the correlative pair.
The correct placement of the verb is once outside, twice inside.
Correct, once outside: A dancer is || not only an artist but also an athlete. ||
Correct, twice inside: A dancer || not only is an artist but also is an athlete. ||
Wrong, once outside, once inside: A dancer is || not only an artist but also is an athlete. ||
ELIMINATE B

• the adjective great at playing hockey is not parallel to the verb is

• pianist (noun) is parallel with hockey player (noun)
• alternatively, notice that the verb IS is correctly "once outside" the structure
→ IS || not only a terrific pianist but also a great hockey player ||

• you might not be able to articulate exactly what is wrong with this option.
--It certainly sounds horribly awkward.
-- Great at playing piano (adjective) is not parallel to is (verb)
-- But the word also is not a clearly a parallelism marker in this sentence
• compare to option D. No contest. Option D is better.

→ option E is muddy.
Is "also" a conjunctive adverb that modifies "is a terrific pianist"?
If so, option E would be better if also were placed near is this way:
A great hockey player, Richard is also a terrific pianist.
OPtion D is better.
Eliminate E

The best answer is D

COMMENTS

These answers are good. Happy kudos.