but for safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but for safe" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks context to determine its intended use. Example: "I would have gone out, but for safe."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Don CarloStrangelyenoughly enjoyed writing thAlarmadline.  .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In conversations with The Times, Mr. Riera said that he did not want to seek exile in the United States, but hoped for safe haven in Mexico.

The New York Times

This emphasizes the necessity of assessing microbial communities in OMW, not only for bioremediation purposes but also for safe disposal.

BioMed Research International

The result hasn't just been record-high prices for super-safe government bonds, but for less safe corporate bonds, too.

The Washington Post

Major restrictions on the use of New York streets for Ultimatum ('they wouldn't give me any') made him hunt high and low for safe, but exciting alternatives.

The Guardian

The "Washington Post" was forced to pull the video, but Media Matters archived it for safe viewing.

Huffington Post

But reform group Americans for Safe Access is targeting ads against some lawmakers who voted no, beginning with Reps.

Huffington Post

But for the safe of security, the passwords can be set up differently.

WikiHow

But they can be collared for safe keeping.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Angell of Southold Citizens for Safe Roads doubts that the signs would help.

The New York Times

The tower's operation was not required for safe shutdown, but pictures of the collapse damaged Vermont Yankee's image.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "but for safe" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "except for safety" or "aside from safety considerations" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Do not assume that "but for safe" is a direct substitute for established conditional phrases. "But for" typically requires a noun phrase indicating a specific condition, not a general adjective. Using it incorrectly can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for safe" is intended to express a conditional exception related to safety. However, it deviates from standard grammatical usage of "but for", which requires a noun phrase. Thus, it's often perceived as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "but for safe" is understandable—to express a conditional exception related to safety—it's grammatically unconventional. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect. Grammatically sound and semantically similar alternatives such as "except for safety" or "aside from safety considerations" offer clearer and more precise communication. While "but for safe" may appear in informal contexts, opting for established phrases ensures your writing remains clear and grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for safety

Focuses specifically on the condition of safety as an exception.

aside from safety

Similar to "except for safety", emphasizing safety as a separate consideration.

were it not for safety

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing a condition related to safety.

without regard to safety

Indicates a situation where safety is not being considered.

disregarding safety

Similar to "without regard to safety", implying a conscious decision to ignore safety.

if it wasn't safe

Expresses a conditional situation related to safety.

unless safety is assured

Specifies safety as a necessary condition.

barring safety considerations

Highlights safety considerations as a potential obstacle.

excluding safety measures

Focuses on the omission of safety measures.

other than for security

Similar to except for safety, but related specifically to security.

FAQs

What does "but for" mean?

"But for" is a phrase used to indicate a necessary condition. It means that something would not have happened but for a specific circumstance. For example, "But for your help, I would have failed" means I would have failed if you hadn't helped me.

What are some alternatives to "but for"?

Alternatives to "but for" include "if not for", "except for", "were it not for", and "had it not been for". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How can I use "except for safety" correctly?

Use "except for safety" to indicate that something is true or possible, with the exception of safety considerations. For example, "The project is ready to launch, "except for safety" checks" means the project is ready to launch, but safety checks still need to be completed.

Is "but for safe" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "but for safe" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like ""except for safety"" or "aside from safety".