but for clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but for clear" is not correct and does not convey a complete thought in written English.
It may be intended to express a condition or exception, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I would have completed the project on time, but for clear communication issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Cordesman was referring to the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who enunciated a military doctrine of using overwhelming force, but for clear political ends.

The New York Times

The directors, led by chairman Peter Williams and chief executive Julia Reynolds – the latter only joined the business in August – would have been under pressure to put the business into administration immediately but for clear signals from Lloyds, which is part-owned by taxpayers, that it is determined to support Blacks continuing as a going concern.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This statement is supported by the fact that we found a significant higher FN1 mRNA expression between organ-confined and advanced disease in papillary RCC but not for clear cell RCC.

BMC Cancer

But the need for clear definitions extends to words we believe to be used correctly, and whose meaning we believe is universal.

Procedia CIRP

The plan calls out the "overuse" of these agreements but also calls for clear guidelines stating that those agreements should "be used in only limited circumstances".

Huffington Post

Some of the tools mentioned above provide a linear view of the RNA, but none allow for clear connection with genomic features.

BMC Genomics

Make what you are looking for clear, but don't be nervous.

WikiHow

But for a clear position the number of researched patient is too small.

Critical Care

There well might be other genes that merit the hallmark status but for which clear evidence is hard to come up with.

Biology Direct

But anecdotes can't substitute for clear thinking.

Forbes

The assumption was that a strict and open method would make grounds for clear decisions, but the results of the decision process were none of the cases implemented.

Government Information Quarterly

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express a conditional exception related to clarity, use clearer and more grammatically accepted phrases like "except for clarity" or "aside from clarity".

Common error

Avoid using "but for clear" as a standalone phrase. It typically requires a subsequent clause to provide context and complete the thought. Without additional context, the phrase is incomplete and unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for clear" functions as a prepositional phrase that attempts to introduce a condition or exception. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it lacks clarity and is grammatically questionable. It typically requires further context to be meaningful.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but for clear" is a grammatically questionable expression that attempts to introduce a condition or exception related to clarity. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not correct and lacks a complete thought. While examples exist across various sources, including news, science, and wiki content, its usage is infrequent, and it is generally advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "except for clarity" or "aside from clarity". These alternatives offer improved grammatical correctness and reduce the potential for misinterpretation. Therefore, while the phrase may appear in certain contexts, opting for more standard and precise language enhances clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for clarity

Replaces "but for" with "except for" to directly address clarity as an exception.

aside from clarity

Similar to "except for", it indicates that clarity is the element being set aside or not considered.

were it not for clarity

Introduces a more formal conditional statement, emphasizing the importance of clarity.

had it not been for clarity

Similar to "were it not for", this phrase uses a past conditional to highlight a hypothetical situation where clarity was absent.

if clarity were not a factor

Explicitly states a hypothetical condition where clarity is not considered.

without considering clarity

Indicates that clarity is being deliberately excluded from consideration.

disregarding clarity

Similar to "without considering", it implies a conscious decision to ignore clarity.

ignoring clarity

Directly states that clarity is being ignored.

but lacking clarity

Focuses on the absence of clarity as a key characteristic.

despite the need for clarity

Highlights a situation where clarity is needed but not present.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but for clear" to make it grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "except for clarity", "aside from clarity", or "were it not for clarity" to express a conditional exception related to clarity.

Is "but for clear" a commonly used phrase in academic writing?

No, "but for clear" is not a standard or commonly accepted phrase in academic writing. It's better to opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

What does "but for clear" typically imply in a sentence?

The phrase usually implies that something would be different or impossible without considering clarity as a factor. However, due to its non-standard usage, it is often misinterpreted. Use more descriptive alternatives to avoid ambiguity.

Which is more appropriate, "but for clear" or "except for clarity"?

"Except for clarity" is more appropriate because it is a grammatically correct and clear way to express an exception based on the element of clarity, unlike "but for clear", which is not standard.