but for the data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but for the data" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something would not have happened or been the case if it were not for the data in question. Example: "But for the data provided by the research team, we would not have been able to make an informed decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But for the data center REITs, a growing track record is helping overcome investors' lack of experience and misgivings regarding the riskiness of the nontraditional real estate sector.

The New York Times

But for the data with a lot of noise, using this method, it is difficult to achieve a considerable level.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Averaging allows reducing this effect and simplifies measurements, but for the data analysis in the present paper, no averaging is applied, as the focus lies on the multipath properties of the channel detailed investigation.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

To compare models that are not necessarily nested, we can use either the Akaike Information Criterion [25] or the Bayesian Information Criterion [26], but for the data used in this paper the likelihood ratio test suffices.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It may seem even silly or ridiculous to those experiencing the worst storm damage in their lives to talk about polling (or for that matter receive a survey call on a cellphone whose charged battery is indeed a lifeline), but for the data-obsessed and for pollsters, storm Sandy has complicated matters just a bit.

The New York Times

The network was not only valuable for the communication it enabled, but also for the data it produced from those who utilized its services.

University of California, Berkeley

Since the data were categorical, multiple imputation was used but allowing for the data to be whole numbers [ 16].

BMC Medical Education

We chose this data not only out of concern for the potential influence on human beings but also for the data's characteristics.

BMC Genomics

But for businesses, the data was a real eye-opener.

TechCrunch

JRadimus #robotpickuplines I was drawn over by your GUI, but I stayed for the data exchange.

TechCrunch

These objects were not considered for the information model but are relevant for the data model of TRANSFoRm.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but for the data", ensure that the relationship between the data and the outcome is clear and direct. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what the data enabled or prevented.

Common error

Avoid attributing causality solely based on correlation. While the data might suggest a relationship, it doesn't necessarily prove that the data was the only determining factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for the data" acts as a conditional conjunction, introducing a condition that is essential for a particular result or situation to occur. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. This structure emphasizes the critical role of data in influencing outcomes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but for the data" is a grammatically sound and functional expression used to indicate a direct causal dependency on data. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase serves to highlight that a particular result or conclusion is contingent on the presence and consideration of data. While infrequent in general usage, "but for the data" finds its primary application in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. To ensure effective communication, it is crucial to articulate the specific connection between the data and the consequent outcome, while also cautioning against overstating causality. For alternative phrasing, consider employing options such as "without the data" or "if it weren't for the data".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without the data

Emphasizes the absence of data as the determining factor.

if it weren't for the data

Highlights the hypothetical scenario where the data doesn't exist.

except for the data

Indicates an exclusion based on the data.

had it not been for the data

Stresses a past condition that relied on the data.

in the absence of the data

Focuses on a state where the data is not available.

lacking the data

Highlights the deficiency of data.

were it not for the data

Presents a conditional clause dependent on the data's presence.

but absent the data

Combines a conjunction with the absence of data.

aside from the data

Similar to 'except for' but with a slightly different emphasis.

not considering the data

Indicates a deliberate disregard of the data.

FAQs

How can I use "but for the data" in a sentence?

Use "but for the data" to indicate that a particular outcome or conclusion is directly dependent on the data. For example, "But for the data, we would not have known the extent of the problem."

What's a simpler way to express "but for the data"?

Alternatives include "without the data" or "if it weren't for the data". These options provide a more concise way to convey the same meaning.

Is "but for the data" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "but for the data" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to clearly establish a causal link between data and a conclusion or outcome. It's often used in scientific, academic, and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "but for the data" and "because of the data"?

"But for the data" emphasizes that something would not have happened without the data, highlighting a necessary condition. "Because of the data" simply states that the data was a contributing factor, but not necessarily the only one.