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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
but else
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'but else' is not correct or usable in written English.
It would not make sense in a sentence. If you want to express a contrast between two ideas, you can use the phrase 'but otherwise' instead. For example: "She wanted to go on vacation, but otherwise had to finish her project".
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
To obtain the expression of isomiRs with non-template extension at 3′ end, we first mapped reads to the respective miRNAs sequences with one mismatch, and then counted reads that were one nucleotide longer than the miRBase sequence but else matched the miRBases sequence perfectly.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
But who else?
News & Media
But something else should.
News & Media
But what else?
News & Media
But little else does.
News & Media
But someone else did.
News & Media
But somebody else?
News & Media
But what else works?
News & Media
But anything else?
News & Media
But something else changed.
News & Media
But little else has happened.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "but else" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "but otherwise" or "but instead" for clear communication.
Common error
A common mistake is directly pairing "but" with "else" without a connecting word or phrase. Always ensure a subject or modifier links "but" and "else", such as in "but something else" or "but what else", to maintain grammatical correctness.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "but else" functions as a conjunction phrase intending to introduce a contrasting or additional element. However, it does not conform to standard English grammar. Ludwig AI notes the phrase is not correct for use in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "but else" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard usage. While it attempts to convey contrast or addition, proper alternatives such as "but otherwise", "but instead", or "but what else" should be preferred for clarity and correctness. Usage contexts are primarily limited to news and media, with better options available. Always aim for grammatically sound constructions to ensure effective communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
but little else
Indicates that few other things are relevant or important.
but what else
Suggests inquiry or exploration of additional possibilities or options.
but something else
Specifies that there is another unidentified element or factor involved.
but anything else
Indicates that there may be further unspecified items or considerations.
but otherwise
Replaces "else" with a more grammatically sound adverb indicating an alternative condition.
but someone else
Emphasizes that another person is involved or responsible.
but instead
Highlights a substitution or replacement of one action or state with another.
but much else
Suggests that many other things are relevant or important.
but everything else
Refers to all other things besides the one already mentioned.
but no more
Implies that nothing further or additional will occur.
FAQs
Is "but else" grammatically correct?
No, "but else" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "but otherwise", "but instead", or "but something else" for proper grammar.
What can I say instead of "but else"?
Instead of "but else", consider using phrases like "but what else", "but anything else", or "but little else" depending on the intended meaning and context.
How can I properly use 'else' in a sentence with 'but'?
To properly use 'else' with 'but', ensure there is a connecting word or phrase. Examples include: "But what else can we do?", "But something else happened.", or "But everyone else did.". Avoid simply saying "but else".
What's the difference between "but else" and "but otherwise"?
"But else" is not grammatically correct, while "but otherwise" is a proper way to indicate an alternative or different condition. For instance, "I wanted to go to the park, but otherwise I had too much work to do."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested