anything but this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything but this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire to avoid a particular situation or outcome. Example: "When faced with the difficult decision, she thought to herself, 'I would accept anything but this.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Anything but this.

The New York Times

Anything but this old poop.

The Washington Post

HT: I don't do anything but this play.

The New York Times

"It's good to be a leader in anything but this".

The New York Times - Science

"But I never wanted to do anything but this.

The New York Times

We had wanted terror and ecstasy — anything but this yellow dust.

The New Yorker

"What I believe is true is, it's impossible to be anything but this.

The New York Times

She'd be proud of me for anything, but this is extra special.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Not to be picky or anything, but is this wise?

The New Yorker

So we decided, we can't do anything but close this down.

The New York Times

"I don't have time to think about anything but winning this football game," Testaverde said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything but this" to express a clear preference for an alternative, especially when emphasizing dissatisfaction with the current option.

Common error

Avoid using "anything but this" when you need to be inclusive rather than exclusive; ensure the context truly calls for a rejection of the specified item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything but this" functions as a conjunction phrase used to express a strong preference or aversion towards a specific option. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts to indicate a clear desire for alternatives. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anything but this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a strong preference against a particular option, seeking an alternative. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Analysis reveals that it is frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to express a clear desire for something different, but be mindful of the context to avoid unintended exclusion. Consider alternatives such as "anything other than this" for a slightly more formal tone. Avoid using it when inclusivity is needed. The phrase functions as a conjunction, adding emphasis to your aversion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything but that

Replaces "this" with "that", shifting the reference but retaining the same meaning and structure.

anything other than this

Replaces "but" with "other than", maintaining the core meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

anything except this

Substitutes "but" with "except", indicating exclusion with minimal semantic shift.

anything apart from this

Utilizes "apart from" to denote exclusion, providing a slightly more distancing effect.

absolutely anything besides this

Adds emphasis with "absolutely" and uses "besides" for "but", strengthening the preference for alternatives.

anything instead of this

Uses "instead of" to directly express a preference for a replacement.

anything in place of this

Similar to "instead of", but with a slightly more formal and indirect tone.

prefer anything over this

Explicitly states a preference, changing the structure from exclusion to direct comparison.

would rather anything than this

Expresses a stronger degree of preference, indicating a reluctance towards the specified option.

any alternative to this

Focuses on the desire for an alternative, rather than directly excluding the current option.

FAQs

How can I use "anything but this" in a sentence?

You can use "anything but this" to express a strong preference against something, as in, "I'd accept "anything but this" outcome".

What's a less direct alternative to "anything but this"?

If you want to soften the statement, consider using phrases like "anything other than this" or "almost anything else".

Is it okay to use "anything but this" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "anything but this" may sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "anything except this" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "anything but this" and "nothing but this"?

"Anything but this" indicates a desire to avoid something, while "nothing but this" means only this is acceptable. They have opposite meanings.