all but only

USAGE SUMMARY

'all but only' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
If you want to express the idea of "almost everything but just one exception," you can phrase it as "all but one." For example: "I like all the colors in the palette, all but one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The number of genes associated to each disease for a common threshold of significance is quite different from one class to another (e.g. 799 genes for ALL but only 213 genes for AML).

BMC Genomics

Berkeley might accept 21 percent of freshman applicants over all but only 12 percent in engineering.

The New York Times

Their faces were lined and creased — they're pushing seventy, after all — but only Keith's looked ravaged.

The New Yorker

He has allowed 29 homers over all, but only 11 on the road.

The New York Times - Sports

It's "arts for all" but only via the screen, like NTLive, not the stage.

The Guardian

The Raiders are 13-5 over all, but only 4-3 in league play.

The New York Times - Sports

Or as Nietzsche said, "There are no moral phenomena at all but only a moral interpretation of phenomena".

The New York Times - Magazine

AMERICA, it appears, will go over the fiscal cliff after all, but only for a few days.

The Economist

Automation holds the promise of increased free time for all, but only if we let go of convention.

The Guardian

In 2006 a snorkelling trail was created, opening up Kimmeridge Bay for all (but only in the summer months).

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many episodes also detailed the character's struggles as the all-but-only parent to her daughters: Julie, the older, rebellious one played by Mackenzie Phillips, and Barbara, the younger, less troubled sibling portrayed by Valerie Bertinelli.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "all but only" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "almost exclusively" or "nearly the only" to convey your intended meaning.

Common error

A common error is assuming "all but only" is a valid construction similar to "all but one". However, "all but only" is not recognized as a standard English phrase. Ensure you are using established phrases to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but only" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to limit or qualify a preceding statement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a recognized or usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but only" is not a standard or grammatically correct English construction. According to Ludwig AI, it is "not a correct or usable phrase in written English". While its intended purpose might be to express a near-exclusive condition, it is best to avoid using it. Instead, opt for clearer and more established alternatives such as "almost exclusively" or "nearly the only" to effectively convey your intended meaning and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost exclusively

Emphasizes near exclusivity with a slight allowance for exceptions, offering a more direct way to convey the idea.

virtually the only

Highlights a condition that is close to being the only one, stressing the limited alternatives.

practically the sole

Indicates something is the only option in practice, though others may theoretically exist.

nearly the only

Expresses that something is just short of being the only one, maintaining a sense of limitation.

all but one

Focuses on a single exception from a complete set, highlighting the exclusion.

with few exceptions

Acknowledges that almost everything applies, save for a small number of exceptions.

almost without exception

Highlights near-total conformity to a rule, with very rare deviations.

for the most part

Indicates that something is generally true, allowing for some variation or deviation.

largely

Suggests something is true to a great extent, though not entirely.

primarily

Indicates that something is mainly the case, but other factors may contribute.

FAQs

What does "all but only" mean?

The phrase "all but only" is not a standard English construction and lacks a clear, established meaning. It's best to use alternative phrases that clearly express your intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "all but only"?

Consider using alternatives like "almost exclusively", "virtually the only", or "nearly the only" depending on the specific context.

Is "all but only" grammatically correct?

No, "all but only" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use more established and clearer phrases.

How can I use "all but one" correctly?

The phrase "all but one" is used to indicate that everything is included except for a single item. For example, "I've finished all but one chapter of the book."