all but gone

USAGE SUMMARY

"all but gone" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means nearly or almost completely gone. Example: The cakes were all but gone by the end of the party. (Meaning, there were only a few cakes left at the end of the party.) Another example: The old traditions of the town are all but gone now, replaced by modern practices. (Meaning, the old traditions are almost completely gone but not completely extinct yet.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Anne fled from the room, the fight in her all but gone.

Independent

That is all but gone.

Independent

That anxiety is all but gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its title is already all but gone.

The New York Times - Sports

The sulking has all but gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Her exuberance had all but gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The youth service has all but gone.

The Guardian

Government control is all but gone in outlying provinces.

The New York Times

Fifa's credibility is all but gone as the scandals persist.

The Guardian - Sport

At the college level, it has all but gone away.

The New York Times

The humour has all but gone out of it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but gone" to indicate that something is nearly, but not quite, completely absent or finished. This provides a nuance that conveys both presence and imminent disappearance.

Common error

Avoid interpreting "all but gone" as completely gone. The 'but' signifies an exception or qualification, implying a slight remaining presence or possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but gone" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the extent to which something is diminished or absent. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies a state close to complete disappearance, emphasizing near-total absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all but gone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase to describe a state of near-complete absence or disappearance. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When writing, be mindful to use it to indicate a near-total state rather than absolute completion. Alternatives like "almost vanished" or "virtually disappeared" can be considered for nuanced expression. Overall, its usage is both correct and effective for conveying a sense of imminent disappearance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost vanished

Emphasizes the suddenness or completeness of the disappearance.

virtually disappeared

Highlights the practical effect of the disappearance, even if traces remain.

practically extinct

Suggests a state very close to complete extinction, often used for species or phenomena.

nearly nonexistent

Focuses on the extremely low level of existence or presence.

as good as dead

Implies that something is ineffectual or non-functioning, similar to being dead.

effectively terminated

Emphasizes that the item in question has ceased to exist in all practical terms.

for all intents and purposes, gone

Explicitly states that something should be treated as if it's gone, even if not technically.

scarcely remaining

Highlights how little remains of what once was.

fading into oblivion

Suggests a gradual disappearance into a state of being forgotten or unknown.

on the verge of extinction

Indicates the item in question is close to disappearing completely.

FAQs

What does "all but gone" mean?

The phrase "all but gone" means nearly or almost completely gone. It suggests something is on the verge of disappearing or ceasing to exist.

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

You can use "all but gone" to describe a state of near-complete absence. For example, "The hope for a peace treaty is "almost vanished"." or "The excitement was "virtually disappeared"."

What are some alternatives to "all but gone"?

Some alternatives include "almost vanished", "virtually disappeared", "nearly nonexistent", or "practically extinct", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "all but gone"?

Yes, "all but gone" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. It's used to indicate something is nearly or almost completely gone.