all but extinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but extinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly or almost completely gone or eliminated. Example: "After the long drought, the once vibrant forest was all but extinguished, leaving behind only charred remains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The right is all but extinguished.

The New Yorker

The pro-Russian parties have been all but extinguished.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now it feels like the candle lit in his memory is all but extinguished.

Independent

"They were not just laid in ruins; they were all but extinguished.

The New York Times - Books

Lake Michigan fishermen subsequently drove more than 2,000 Strangites from their homes and all but extinguished the sect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Edgardo Alfonzo is himself again, emerging just when the Mets' hopes of contending had been all but extinguished.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But it was a largely comfortable afternoon for Pulis - with the relegation fears he inherited when he replaced Alan Irvine at the start of the year now appearing to be all-but extinguished.

BBC

On Thursday night, there was little more James could do as the Heat's dreams of an historic "threepeat" were all-but-extinguished by the sensational San Antonio Spurs, who, with a 107-86 matling athehe American Airlines Arena, moved into a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Olsen and John DeStefano Jr., the influential Democratic mayor of New Haven, said they and other party officials were concerned that any primary battle would all but extinguish any chance the winner has of beating Mr. Rowland.

The New York Times

The defender Miguel Britos was sent off for head-butting an opponent as Napoli lost 3-1 athehe champions, Juventus, on Saturday, all but extinguishing their hopes of Champions League football next season.

The Guardian - Sport

The Senate's rejection of even a watered-down system of background checks, experts say, all but extinguishes the chances to pass new legislation, and from here on, any significant action on gun-safety laws will be at the state level.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but extinguished" to add emphasis when describing something that has almost completely disappeared or ceased to exist. It conveys a stronger sense of finality than simply saying something is 'reduced'.

Common error

While "all but extinguished" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and technical vocabulary where appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but extinguished" functions as an intensifier followed by a verb, modifying the verb "extinguished" to indicate a state close to complete elimination. Ludwig provides numerous examples in news and encyclopedic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all but extinguished" is a phrase used to describe something that is very nearly or almost completely gone. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. It functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the near-total elimination of something. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more precise language in highly formal settings. Alternatives include "virtually eliminated" or "nearly eradicated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is considered to be of neutral register and appears frequently across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually eliminated

Emphasizes the practical outcome of being eliminated.

nearly eradicated

Focuses on complete removal, close to achievement.

almost wiped out

Highlights destruction and removal from existence.

practically nonexistent

States a condition of extremely low existence.

as good as gone

Implies future absence with near certainty.

on the verge of disappearing

Highlights nearing of the end.

essentially defunct

Highlights a functional end.

for all intents and purposes, ceased

Stresses the final cessation from multiple views.

in effect, destroyed

Emphasizes the practical result of destruction.

to all practical purposes, nonexistent

Shows the nonexistent element as a result of practical considerations.

FAQs

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

This phrase indicates something is nearly gone or has almost ceased to exist. For example: "After years of neglect, the town's vibrant arts scene was "all but extinguished"".

What are some alternatives to saying "all but extinguished"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "virtually eliminated", "nearly eradicated", or "almost wiped out". These offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it correct to use "all but extinguished" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "all but extinguished" might be perceived as less formal. In highly formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise vocabulary. However, it is acceptable in many types of writing.

What does "all but extinguished" imply about the current state of something?

It suggests that something is in a state of near non-existence, indicating a high probability of complete disappearance or cessation in the near future.