all but alone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but alone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is nearly or almost alone, implying that they have very little company or support. Example: "After the party ended, she felt all but alone in the empty house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Cameron has been on stage all but alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Studies have found that Americans are all but alone in giving newborns their own room.

The New York Times

If the Mets knew they could play like this, they were all but alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Belgum is all but alone among the Biennial filmmakers in his desire to seize something of everyday reality.

The New York Times

It has a star, Barbara Stanwyck, who was all but alone among the performers of her time for her ability to register in both genres.

The New York Times

Among dozens of legislators interviewed, Mr. Silver was all but alone in denying a link between last year's events and this year's moves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

So while Europe may pride itself on emitting less carbon from its own territory than it did in 1990, from a consumption point of view the carbon embodied in imports from China alone all but cancels out the gain.

The Economist

"I was free before I met you /  I was broken but free / All alone in the clear view / But now you are all I see," Stefani sings. .

Huffington Post

But I'm all alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a principle that has been lost on the generation that lives inside the internet and just pukes and pukes and pukes on themselves, but all alone and quietly in their room, who know the history of sneakers but don't know any fuckings of shits about all the possibilities of tension.

Vice

"We are surrounded by people, but all alone in our bodies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but alone" to subtly convey a sense of near-total isolation or lack of support, which can be more nuanced than simply stating someone is "alone".

Common error

Avoid using "all but alone" when you mean completely alone. The phrase implies a slight possibility of companionship or support, even if minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but alone" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of near-isolation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where it qualifies individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all but alone" is a useful way to express near-complete isolation, offering a nuanced alternative to simply saying "alone". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's essential to use it accurately, understanding that it implies a degree of isolation that is almost, but not quite, absolute. Considering alternatives like ""virtually alone"" or "nearly isolated" can help refine your expression and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually alone

Emphasizes the almost complete isolation, similar to "all but alone".

practically alone

Highlights the realistic or practical sense of being alone, closely mirroring the original phrase.

almost entirely alone

Adds emphasis on the extent of being alone.

nearly isolated

Focuses on the state of being cut off or separated from others.

essentially solitary

Implies a fundamental or intrinsic state of being alone.

largely unsupported

Shifts the focus to a lack of support rather than physical isolation.

in relative isolation

Indicates isolation in comparison to others or a previous state.

with minimal companionship

Emphasizes the scarcity of company or social interaction.

almost exclusively

Shifts to near-exclusivity rather than strict isolation, applicable in different contexts.

for the most part alone

Indicates that being alone is the predominant condition.

FAQs

How can I use "all but alone" in a sentence?

You can use "all but alone" to describe situations where someone is almost, but not quite, completely isolated. For example, "After everyone left, she was "virtually alone" in the office."

What's a good alternative to "all but alone"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "nearly isolated", "almost entirely alone", or "practically alone" can be used.

Is "all but alone" grammatically correct?

Yes, "all but alone" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express near-complete isolation.

When is it appropriate to use "all but alone" instead of just "alone"?

"All but alone" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone is very close to being completely isolated, but there might be a slight degree of connection or support remaining. It adds a layer of nuance that the word "alone" may not fully capture.