but cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but cases" is not a complete or clear expression in written English and may require additional context to be understood.
It could be used in a context where you are contrasting different situations or examples, but it needs to be part of a larger sentence to convey a clear meaning. Example: "We have seen many successful outcomes, but cases of failure still exist."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But cases continue.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But cases involving immigration crimes climbed to record levels.

The New York Times

But cases have risen each year since then to 9,756 cases in 2006.

The New York Times

But cases of obesity are less frequent than bouts of pickiness.

The New York Times

But cases involving individual discharges are easier and less costly for lawyers to pursue.

The New York Times

But cases in which the infection becomes fatal so quickly are rare.

The New York Times

But cases regularly come to light of their use on Italian fishing boats".

The Guardian

The 'evidence' is not evidence at all but cases are closed with bullish certainty.

The Guardian - Sport

"The first 24 hours are important, but cases have been solved weeks, months later".

The New York Times

"But cases like this one signal that it is the role of citizens to protect children.

The New York Times

Councils can take civil proceedings against prostitutes but cases generally result in small fines.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but cases", ensure the sentence clearly establishes a contrast or exception to a preceding statement. This phrase is most effective when the context is already well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using "but cases" when there is no clear contrast established in the preceding sentence. This can lead to confusion and weaken the overall argument. Always ensure that the "cases" being referred to are directly related to the initial statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but cases" functions as a transitional element, introducing exceptions or counterexamples to a general statement. It serves to qualify or limit the scope of the preceding assertion, indicating that while a general trend may exist, there are specific instances where it does not apply. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but cases" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for introducing exceptions or qualifications to general statements. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources to acknowledge the nuanced nature of real-world scenarios. While grammatically straightforward, its effectiveness relies on the clarity of the preceding context. Alternatives include "however instances" and "yet examples", each offering subtle differences in formality and emphasis. Ludwig indicates that the phrase, while generally acceptable, functions best when it clearly establishes a contrast, preventing ambiguity and strengthening the overall argument. Therefore, writers should ensure that "but cases" is used judiciously, providing a clear signal of deviation from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, instances

Replaces "but" with "however" and "cases" with the more formal "instances".

exceptions include

Directly indicates exceptions rather than using a contrasting conjunction.

yet, examples

Uses "yet" instead of "but" and "examples" as a substitute for "cases", offering a simpler construction.

excluding certain situations

Specifies the exclusion of specific situations, offering a more precise meaning.

despite instances

Emphasizes the contrast by using "despite" followed by "instances".

aside from particular instances

Similar to "except for", this emphasizes a deviation from the norm.

in contrast to situations

Highlights a clear difference using "in contrast to" and "situations" instead of "cases".

on the other hand, examples

Presents a contrasting viewpoint using "on the other hand".

notwithstanding examples

A more formal alternative, replacing "but" with "notwithstanding".

conversely, incidents

Expresses a reversal or opposition using "conversely" and substituting "cases" with "incidents".

FAQs

How can I use "but cases" in a sentence?

Use "but cases" to introduce exceptions or contrasting situations to a general statement. For example, "Most students passed the exam, but cases of cheating were reported".

What are some alternatives to "but cases"?

Alternatives include "however instances", "yet examples", or "despite instances", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but cases"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence directly with "but cases" can sound abrupt. It's often better to integrate it within a clause to ensure smoother flow. For example, "Most studies show X, but cases exist where Y is true" is preferable to "But cases exist where Y is true. Most studies show X."

What is the difference between "but cases" and "except for cases"?

"But cases" introduces a contrast or exception to a general rule, while "except for cases" specifically excludes certain situations. The phrase "except for cases" focuses on exclusion rather than contrast.