all but none

USAGE SUMMARY

"all but none" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used as a phrase indicating that something is not entirely absent, but is close to being so. For example, "He had tried all remedies but none had worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Good players all, but none with the physical gifts and offensive abilities of George.

The New York Times

Fine American companies all, but none in need of additional government subsidies - especially not when those subsidies happen to kill American jobs.

Huffington Post

Davis (7-5) walked four in the first three innings, five in all, but none turned into runs.

The New York Times - Sports

Uphill fights all, but none more challenging than the broader task of reinvigorating a dispirited Republican Party.

The New York Times

He's so aware of the media, and reads it all, but none of it gets to him".

The Guardian - Sport

He made a couple of brilliant saves, and 18 over all, but none were timely enough in a game of paramount importance.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The TV is full of all this, but none of it interests me.

The Guardian - Books

The Yankees have six All-Stars, but none are more intriguing than Soriano and none have more room to grow.

The New York Times - Sports

It's Hans Christian Andersen with all the heart but none of the mawkishness.

The Guardian

He's childlike in one way: He wants all the credit but none of the blame.

Huffington Post

The paths we take to get to that end result will all be different, but none of that truly matters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but none" to emphasize that while something might theoretically exist or be possible, it's so close to non-existence that it's practically irrelevant. This adds a subtle nuance compared to simply stating "none".

Common error

Avoid using "all but none" when you truly mean "none". The phrase implies a slight exception or possibility, and using it interchangeably can weaken your intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but none" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate a near-total absence or exclusion. It suggests that while something might theoretically exist, it's practically negligible. Ludwig's examples confirm the expression's common usage to express an exception.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but none" is a valid and useful expression in English, indicating a state of near-total absence or exclusion. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "almost none", it offers a nuanced way to express a small remaining possibility or exception. According to Ludwig, it is used across diverse source types. It can be used in different contexts, mainly in news, scientific and formal communication. While grammatically correct, be mindful of its subtle emphasis and avoid using it when complete absence is meant. The provided writing guidance aims to make your writing more accurate and elegant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost none

This alternative directly replaces the "all but" construction with "almost", focusing on the near-zero quantity.

virtually none

This alternative emphasizes that the quantity is so close to zero as to be effectively nonexistent.

practically none

Similar to "virtually none", this highlights that the quantity is negligible in a practical sense.

next to none

This phrase indicates a very small amount, almost nothing.

hardly any

This expresses a scarcity or near absence of something.

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", this emphasizes the rarity or infrequency.

almost no

This alternative uses "almost" to modify "no", indicating a condition close to zero.

very few

This indicates a small number of items, close to none.

a negligible amount

This alternative focuses on the quantity being so small that it's insignificant.

an insignificant quantity

Similar to "a negligible amount", this stresses the unimportance of the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "all but none" in a sentence?

Use "all but none" to express that nearly everything is excluded or absent, but with a slight possibility or theoretical existence remaining. For example, "He tried "all remedies", but "all but none had worked"".

What does "all but none" mean?

"All but none" indicates that something is very close to being completely absent or excluded, but not entirely so. It implies a near-total absence or exception.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "all but none"?

Some alternatives include "almost none", "virtually none", or "practically none". These phrases similarly convey the idea of near absence.

Is it correct to say "all but none"?

Yes, "all but none" is a correct and usable phrase in English. It's used to indicate a state that is very close to nothing or non-existence, but not quite entirely. Ludwig confirms its validity.