all but guarantee

USAGE SUMMARY

"all but guarantee" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used as a way of saying that something is very likely to happen, and can even be used as a way of saying that something is certain to happen. For example: "The odds of him winning are so high that it all but guarantees his victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And their top candidates' star power will all but guarantee a respectable vote.

The Economist

But raising the price would all but guarantee a presidential veto, Democrats and Republicans agreed.

The New York Times

A win over Puig would all but guarantee her a spot as the youngest player in the top 50.

The New York Times

And, in fact, his corporate-friendly policy of opening up new regions for offshore drilling (that policy is only temporarily halted) will all but guarantee future disastrous spills.

The New York Times

Crawley are seven goals better off than the Gulls, so know a win at Accrington will all but guarantee their ascent.

The Guardian - Sport

Anyone who expected the Greek side to adopt a defensive attitude knowing a point would all but guarantee them a place in the second phase was sorely mistaken.

The Guardian - Sport

I can all but guarantee you, in fact, that if we run these forecasts for enough years, there will be a few instances in which the model makes an aggressive move — and is totally and completely wrong about it.

The New York Times

Not long afterward, I met Beatts at his shop, Borderlands Books, and he seemed utterly defeated; Borderlands is barely profitable, and the minimum-wage increase would all but guarantee the store a significant loss.

The New Yorker

There was a time when this kind of new-vehicle pace would all but guarantee a big sales boost.

Forbes

A win in Wales would all but guarantee a home tie in this year's semi-finals, bringing the benefit of a noisy support.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Wigan will make sure of their Premier League survival with a victory at Ewood Park, while a draw would all-but guarantee their safety, given they have a goal difference nine better than 18th-placed Bolton.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but guarantee" to express a strong likelihood or near certainty, but avoid using it when absolute certainty is required. For example, "Rigorous testing will "all but guarantee" the software's reliability" is a good way to express high confidence without stating it as a 100% fact.

Common error

Avoid using "all but guarantee" in situations where the outcome is truly uncertain or depends on many unpredictable factors. Overusing it can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but guarantee" functions as a qualifier or intensifier, modifying a verb or verb phrase to express a high degree of certainty or likelihood. Ludwig AI validates the common use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all but guarantee" is a commonly used expression that indicates a high degree of certainty or likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. It functions as an intensifier and is frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While it conveys strong probability, remember it's not a substitute for absolute certainty. Alternatives like "virtually assure" or "practically ensure" offer similar nuances. Use it judiciously to enhance your writing without overstating claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but assure

Maintains a very similar structure but uses "assure" instead of "guarantee".

virtually guarantee

Uses "virtually" to emphasize the near certainty.

practically guarantee

Indicates that the outcome is almost certain from a practical standpoint.

virtually assure

Emphasizes near certainty, similar to a guarantee but slightly less absolute.

almost certainly guarantee

Explicitly states that the outcome is highly likely to be guaranteed.

practically ensure

Highlights the practical aspect of ensuring a specific result.

almost certainly ensure

Adds emphasis to the high likelihood of ensuring a particular outcome.

nearly assure

Focuses on the closeness to certainty, suggesting a minimal chance of failure.

effectively promise

Highlights the almost guaranteed or certain nature of the outcome.

leaves little doubt

Shifts focus to the lack of uncertainty surrounding the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "all but guarantee" to indicate a very high probability of something happening. For instance, "A victory in this game will "all but guarantee" their place in the finals."

What phrases are similar to "all but guarantee"?

Alternatives to "all but guarantee" include "virtually assure", "practically ensure", or "almost certainly ensure". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "all but guarantee" in formal writing?

Yes, "all but guarantee" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news and analytical contexts. However, be mindful of overusing it. Phrases like "effectively promise" may provide better nuance in certain formal situations.

What's the difference between "all but guarantee" and "guarantee"?

"Guarantee" implies absolute certainty, while "all but guarantee" suggests a very high likelihood but acknowledges a slight possibility of failure. Therefore, "practically guarantee" implies a slightly lower degree of certainty.