are but only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are but only" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It is redundant, as "but" and "only" convey similar meanings of limitation. Example: "These options are but only a few of the possibilities available."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Yes, we are, but only in part.

The Economist

They probably are, but only a small piece".

The New York Times

They are, but only to a degree, Dr. Grossman said.

The New York Times - Style

They are, but only to the extent that Legba conspicuously stands out in the flashy clothes Brenda buys him.

The New York Times

That increases the pressure on Kear to keep Trinity above Cas, as they currently are – but only on points difference.

The Guardian - Sport

To the Editor: Frank Bruni is right about who molesters really are, but only if you count molesters outside the family circle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(It was, but only temporarily).

The New York Times

It was, but only just.

BBC

United are ahead – but only just.

Independent

The stories are recognizable, but only just.

The New York Times

They are -- but only because the people listed in the first paragraph have given them huge sums of money to do so.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "are but only" in your writing. It is grammatically incorrect and considered redundant. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives such as "are merely" or "are simply" to convey your intended meaning effectively.

Common error

Do not combine "but" and "only" in a phrase like "are but only". Choose one or the other, or a different construction entirely, to avoid redundancy. Consider if you need to emphasize limitation or straightforwardness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are but only" attempts to limit or qualify a statement, but it does so incorrectly. Ludwig flags it as incorrect, suggesting its lack of grammatical acceptance. It's function would be to express a restricted or limited condition, but the construction itself is flawed.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are but only" is considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, both "but" and "only" serve similar functions of limiting or qualifying a statement, rendering their combination unnecessary and awkward. Consequently, the phrase is rarely, if ever, found in authoritative sources. For clearer and more effective communication, it is recommended to use alternatives like "are merely", "are simply", or other contextually appropriate phrases. Remember to favor precision and conciseness in your writing to avoid such redundancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are merely

Replaces "but only" with a single word conveying limitation.

are simply

Substitutes "but only" to emphasize straightforwardness or ease.

are just

Offers a casual alternative for expressing limitation.

are solely

Emphasizes exclusiveness or uniqueness instead of limitation.

are exclusively

Highlights that something is limited to a specific condition.

are uniquely

Indicates that something is distinctive or unparalleled.

are particularly

Suggests specificity rather than limitation.

are primarily

Focuses on the main aspect or purpose.

are mainly

Similar to primarily, but can apply to quantity.

are essentially

Highlights the fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express limitation when using "are"?

Instead of saying "are but only", which is redundant, use phrases like "are merely", "are simply", or "are just" depending on the specific context.

Why is "are but only" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "are but only" is redundant because both "but" and "only" serve to limit or qualify a statement. Using them together adds unnecessary words and weakens the sentence. It's best to choose one or the other, or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Can "are but only" be used in any context?

No, "are but only" is generally not appropriate in formal or informal writing due to its redundant nature. It is better to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "are but only" that emphasize exclusiveness?

To emphasize exclusiveness, you can use alternatives like "are solely" or "are exclusively" which clearly indicate that something is limited to a specific condition.