anyone but him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anyone but him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a preference for all individuals except for a specific person, often in contexts of exclusion or dislike. Example: "I would be happy to work with anyone but him, given our past disagreements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Anyone but him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have not seen anyone but him for 30 years.

The New York Times

Impossible, they say, for anyone but him.

The New York Times

"Now I'll vote for anyone but him.

The New York Times

You wouldn't want anyone but him on a film set or in a rehearsal room.

The Guardian

Only now was he alleging that anyone but him had viewed his memory sticks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

In its decision, the Court said that Lyons could sue for financial compensation but that he did not have standing to seek an injunction that would force L.A.'s police to stop using the hold, and that in order to establish standing, he'd have to "establish a real and immediate threat" that the same thing would happen again — not just to anyone, but to him specifically.

The New Yorker

It wasn't about enlightenment, she told Variety, but about her Lebanese grandfather: "To me, when I see the cover, I cannot think of anyone else but him".

The New Yorker

He said if I didn't have my girls I couldn't leave him and that I could never have Amber or the twins with anyone else but him.

The New Yorker

That came in 2009, when he was a rookie, a challenger, and not an incumbent seeking to fend off a steady veteran (David Garrard) and a dynamic draft pick (Smith), as well as the fans' preference that anyone start but him.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a rare arrangement, and only one of a few times that this Comedy Central late-night series has put anyone else but him behind the desk (necessitated this time by the fact that Mr. Stewart is directing a movie over the summer).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "anyone but him", ensure the context clearly indicates who "him" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "anyone but him" when you actually mean a specific subgroup excluding him. Ensure the statement accurately reflects the intended exclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anyone but him" primarily functions as a determiner phrase indicating a preference or exclusion. It highlights a desire to include everyone except for a specific male individual. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility in expressing strong preferences or rejections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anyone but him" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong preference that excludes a particular male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across diverse contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it thoughtfully, considering the potential impact of expressing such a strong exclusionary preference. Related phrases like "anyone other than him" can offer more formal alternatives. Remember to clearly define "him" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anyone other than him

Emphasizes the exclusion of a particular person from a group or situation.

everyone except him

Highlights the inclusion of all individuals with the specific exclusion of 'him'.

anybody but him

A more informal variant of "anyone but him", carrying the same meaning.

no one else but him

Implies exclusivity, suggesting that only he is suitable.

anyone excluding him

Directly indicates the act of omitting him from consideration.

a person other than him

A more formal and detached way of expressing the same exclusion.

someone besides him

Offers an alternative choice, implying a preference for another person.

anyone in place of him

Focuses on the act of replacing him with someone else.

each person except him

Highlights each individual but 'him'.

any other person but him

Emphasizes the existence of other options, with him being the least desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "anyone but him" in a sentence?

You can use "anyone but him" to express a preference that includes all people excluding one specific person, for example, "I'd vote for "anyone but him" after that scandal".

What's a more formal alternative to "anyone but him"?

A more formal alternative to "anyone but him" is "anyone other than him". It conveys the same meaning but with a slightly more refined tone.

Is "anybody but him" the same as "anyone but him"?

"Anybody but him" is an informal version of "anyone but him". They are interchangeable in most casual contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use "anyone but him"?

It may be inappropriate to use "anyone but him" in highly formal or sensitive situations where a more diplomatic or neutral expression is needed. Consider alternatives like "someone else" or "another candidate" to maintain professional decorum.