SC Question, Source: Winningprep Verbal

[mr.manpreet]

Optimism is not only a deep-rooted philosophy, but a matter of our general attitude to life, of always taking a positive and bright view of life.

- but a matter of our general attitude to life, of always taking a positive and bright view of
- but a matter of our general attitude to life, and of always taking a positive and bright view of
- but also a matter of our general attitude to life, and of always taking a positive and bright view of
- but more a matter of our general attitude to life, and of always taking a positive and bright view of
- but also a matter of our general attitude for life, and of always taking a positive and bright view of

I chose A.. But the answer is [C]. The reason I chose A was that "of always taking .... view of" seems to modify the general attitude of life and has to be placed without ", and"
Though I know not only.. but also is the correct Idiom, but there are cases where But can come alone.. Please clarify as this usage of idiom is very important.

[jnelson0612]

Though I know not only.. but also is the correct Idiom, but there are cases where But can come alone.. Please clarify as this usage of idiom is very important.

As a general guideline, I would always pick "not only . . . but also . . ." if I had the choice. I would ONLY choose "not only . . . but . . . " if I did not have the option of "not only . . . but also". "not only . . . but also" . . . is a good, sound idiom; "not only . . . but" can be right but it is suspect. "but also" is preferred.