but for that

USAGE SUMMARY

"but for that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a possible or hypothetical situation that could have been different if not for a specific factor or circumstance. It is often used as a way to emphasize the importance of that factor. Example: I would have been able to finish my project on time, but for that unexpected power outage that delayed my progress. Here, "but for that" emphasizes the significance of the power outage in causing a delay in the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But for that, circumstances have to change".

The Guardian

It couldn't have happened but for that".

The Guardian - Books

"Maybe not for tennis, but for that I'm still young".

The New York Times - Sports

But, for that very reason, it would entail legal risk.

The New York Times - Science

But for that, it would first have to be debated.

The Economist

But for that moment you're briefly and completely deluded.

The New York Times - Arts

But for that, neuroscience is starting to provide some answers.

The New York Times

But for that to happen, he needs his command.

The New York Times - Sports

But for that, and further activism, they have paid dearly.

The New York Times

But for that the warning of Hiroshima was lacking.

The Economist

It was a ghost town but for that sound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but for that" to clearly indicate a necessary condition for a particular outcome. This can strengthen the logic of your argument by explicitly showing cause-and-effect relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "but for that" when the connection between the condition and the outcome is weak or unclear. Ensure there's a direct and logical relationship; otherwise, your sentence may sound illogical or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for that" functions as a conjunction, introducing a condition or exception necessary for a particular outcome. Ludwig indicates its proper usage in expressing hypothetical situations contingent on specific factors. For example: "But for that timely intervention, the project would have failed."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but for that" is a versatile conjunction used to express a necessary condition for a particular outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its correct usage. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, as well as scientific and formal communications. The phrase functions to establish counterfactual conditionals, highlighting the dependence of a result on a specific prior condition. Though its register is generally neutral, ensuring a clear and direct connection between the condition and outcome is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but for this

Substitutes "that" with "this", pointing to a more immediate or specific factor.

apart from that

Similar to "except for that", focusing on the exclusion of a specific factor.

except for that

Replaces "but" with "except", shifting the focus slightly to highlight the exception rather than the contrast.

aside from that

Indicates that a statement is true except for a specific condition or factor.

if not for that

Emphasizes the necessity of the condition by stating what would happen in its absence.

without that

Simplifies the expression by directly stating the absence of the necessary condition.

if it weren't for that

Expresses a present condition necessary for a current situation, using a more conversational tone.

save for that

Replaces "but" with "save", indicating an exception or condition that needs to be considered.

were it not for that

Introduces a more formal and hypothetical tone, emphasizing the counterfactual nature of the condition.

had it not been for that

Highlights a past condition that, if changed, would have altered the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "but for that" in a sentence?

Use "but for that" to show a condition necessary for something else to occur. For example, "The project would have failed, "but for that" timely intervention" indicates the intervention was essential to the project's success.

What phrases are similar to "but for that"?

Alternatives include "except for that", "were it not for that", or "without that", all indicating a condition or exception.

Is "but for that" formal or informal?

"But for that" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "were it not for that" lean towards a more formal tone.

Can "but for that" be replaced with "because of that"?

While both show a relationship, "because of that" indicates a direct cause, while "but for that" indicates a necessary condition. They aren't always interchangeable; consider the specific context.