but exclusively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but exclusively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is limited to a specific scope or category without including anything else. Example: "The event is open to members of the club, but exclusively to those who have paid their dues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yiddish is only one of many languages he doesn't speak; his ear is fine-tuned, but exclusively to English.

The New York Times - Arts

M.I.T. was a male world, its administrators and instructors all but exclusively male, and a number of them military men.

The New Yorker

Until quite recently, most American schools focused all but exclusively on American businesses, American business law and American business culture.

The New York Times

For the first two days of the Tripoli fighting, Tripoli Central Hospital treated soldiers all but exclusively, several doctors said.

The New York Times

Flowers are also Hallmark's first direct-to-consumer business not sold in stores, but exclusively through the Web site, hallmark.com, and 1-800-hallmark 1-800-hallmark 1-800-hallmark

The New York Times

The commission, which already reports directly to the king, will no longer be overseen by the interior ministry but exclusively by the monarch.

The Guardian

As you described in your New Yorker profile he had been briefed that same day in Ghazni Province about some successful but exclusively American-administered project.

The New Yorker

The items are being auctioned, not by the family but exclusively by Carol and she alone will benefit from the proceeds.

Independent

The city's Transportation Department said on Thursday that the program would begin operating on that date, Memorial Day, but exclusively for people with annual memberships.

The New York Times

Another similar but exclusively American category, business development companies, grew tenfold between 2003 and 2013, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Economist

Canada decided to use its considerable knowledge of nuclear fission not for military purposes but exclusively for peaceful and economic ones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but exclusively", ensure that the contrast introduced by "but" is clear and directly relevant to the limitation specified by "exclusively". This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but exclusively" when the condition is not genuinely exclusive. Ensure no other factors could apply; otherwise, consider using "but primarily" or "but mainly" to avoid overstating the exclusivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but exclusively" functions as a restrictive modifier, limiting the scope of a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it emphasizes a specific condition or entity to the exclusion of others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but exclusively" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a specific limitation or condition, effectively narrowing the scope of a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, notably science, news, and formal business settings. The phrase functions as a restrictive modifier, demanding precision in its application to avoid misinterpretations. While versatile, consider simpler alternatives like "but only" in less formal situations. Pay close attention to maintaining a clear contrast when employing "but exclusively" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but solely

Uses "solely" instead of "exclusively", emphasizing that something is the only thing involved.

but only

Substitutes "exclusively" with "only", indicating a unique condition or purpose.

but just

Replaces "exclusively" with "just", implying that something is limited or specific.

but alone

Employs "alone" to convey that something is done or exists without others.

but uniquely

Uses "uniquely" instead of "exclusively", focusing on the unique or distinct nature.

but fully

Replaces "exclusively" with "fully", which means completely and entirely, but can change the meaning.

but simply

Uses "simply" instead of "exclusively", which can reduce emphasis on limitation.

but merely

Substitutes "exclusively" with "merely", suggesting something is just limited.

but totally

Replaces "exclusively" with "totally", but changes the meaning.

but purely

Substitutes "exclusively" with "purely", but changes the meaning.

FAQs

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

Use "but exclusively" to indicate a specific limitation or condition, contrasting it with a previous statement. For instance, "The program is open to all students, but exclusively to those who meet the eligibility criteria."

What phrases are similar to "but exclusively"?

Alternatives include "but solely", "but only", or "but just", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "but exclusively" and "but mainly"?

"But exclusively" means something applies only to a specific case, whereas "but mainly" suggests it applies primarily but not necessarily exclusively. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of exclusivity.

Can "but exclusively" be used in all contexts?

While versatile, "but exclusively" is best suited for situations where a clear limitation or specific condition needs emphasis. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives like "but only" might be more appropriate.