a but more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a but more" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words, possibly intended to express a comparison or degree of something. Example: "I would like to have a bit more time to complete the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Most former major leaguers of Ojeda and Howard Johnson's pedigree would rather be driving a golf cart than riding the Class A buses again, but Ojeda lives close by, in New Jersey, has higher aspirations in baseball and recognizes that he is the human analogue to this version of minor-league ball; literally Class A but more truly First-Class-A.

The New York Times - Magazine

The "tank" style watch, made famous by Cartier, is squared off but is a but more rectangular and thinner.

TechCrunch

Students could just go to their friends and family with hands outstretched, but it remains easier to hide behind a glossy page and well-typed request, which somehow removes the stigma by making begging for yourself look a but more like raising money for a charity fun run.

Vice

Class B is thought to be less harmful than class A, but more harmful than class C and contains amphetamines and barbiturates.

BMJ Open

The TSST may be valuable for examining stress-induced drinking in a laboratory setting (Thomas et al. 2011 a ), but more studies are needed to replicate this finding.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Method B [ 13] has only one degree of decision freedom using one threshold value for the whole contour, and method C has fewer degrees of decision freedom than A, but more than B: it allows for the individual exclusion of non-atrophic holes or a fine-tuning of critical contour-sections.

BMC Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She treated him not like a child, but more like a lover, a man.

The Guardian - Film

It's a hit, but more of a programming success than an artistic one.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not exactly a neighborhood, but more of a throbbing village common.

The New York Times

This isn't really a question, but more of a statement that is untrue.

The New Yorker

For Bergson, the image is less than a thing but more than a representation.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a but more" in formal or academic writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "a little more" or "slightly more" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The error in "a but more" stems from misusing "but" as a quantifier. "But" typically introduces a contrast, not a degree. Instead, use quantifiers like "little", "bit", or "slightly" to indicate a small increase or difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a but more" functions as an attempted comparative expression, aiming to indicate a slight increase or difference. However, it fails grammatically because "but" is misused as a quantifier. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is not correct English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a but more" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the construction improperly uses "but" as a quantifier. Instead, opt for alternatives such as "a little more" or "slightly more" to express a minor increase or difference. While examples do exist in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, grammatical correctness is paramount for clear and effective communication. Therefore, it's recommended to use grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little more

This is a direct and common way to express a small increase in quantity or degree, replacing the grammatically incorrect "but" with "little".

slightly more

This phrase conveys a minor increase, substituting "slightly" for "but" to achieve grammatical correctness and maintain the intended meaning.

a bit more

Similar to "a little more", this expresses a small augmentation, correcting the grammatical structure by removing "but".

somewhat more

This alternative indicates a moderate increase, replacing "but" with "somewhat" to form a grammatically sound phrase.

marginally more

This suggests a very slight increase, providing a more formal substitute that fixes the grammatical issue.

just a little more

Emphasizes the small amount of increase, adding "just" for emphasis and correcting the syntax.

a shade more

Indicates a subtle difference, using "shade" to express a minor degree of increase and resolving the grammatical error.

ever so slightly more

This option emphasizes the minimal nature of the increase, replacing the incorrect "but" with an adverbial phrase.

a touch more

Suggests a delicate addition or increase, correcting the original phrase's grammatical flaws.

fractionally more

Indicates an increase by a small fraction, using a more precise term to replace the ungrammatical conjunction.

FAQs

Why is "a but more" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a but more" is incorrect because "but" functions as a conjunction to introduce contrast, not as a quantifier to indicate degree. Correct alternatives include using quantifiers like "a little more" or "slightly more".

What are some common alternatives to "a but more"?

Common alternatives to "a but more" that express a small increase or modification include "a little more", "slightly more", and "a bit more". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "a but more" ever acceptable in informal contexts?

While "a but more" might occasionally appear in very informal speech, it's generally best to avoid it, even in casual settings. Using grammatically correct alternatives like "a little more" improves clarity and avoids potential misinterpretation.

How can I avoid making similar grammatical errors?

To prevent similar errors, focus on the function of words like conjunctions and quantifiers. Conjunctions connect clauses or phrases, while quantifiers indicate amount or degree. Using them correctly ensures clear and grammatically sound communication. When in doubt, consult a grammar guide or use a tool like Ludwig to check your writing.