but for the existence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but for the existence of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something would not have happened or existed if not for the presence of something else. Example: "But for the existence of the safety regulations, the accident could have been much worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But for the existence of Building 20, it would not have been developed at MIT". Professor Halle was one of at least three "five-dot" speakers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We will never know if this waste would have been eliminated but for the existence of this lawsuit; we do know, however, that the water was still being wasted at the time this action was commenced.

Cornell University

And that would exhaust the island's claim to musical fame but for the existence of a fabulous exotic garden -- "domain" might be a better word -- that runs in terraces along a valley.

The New York Times - Arts

In 2000, Ken Gronbach, a demographer, hailed the certain arrival of a "Viagra Generation," a demographic of children who would never have been born but for the existence of the drug.

The New York Times

No one would take much notice of it but for the existence of a home-grown terrorist organisation, which has claimed any number of atrocities in the name of Barban independence.

Independent

What struck him in particular was a detail that seems a fabrication straight out of Kurt Vonnegut, or would, but for the existence of archival television film: while in New York, Tanimoto, along with his wife and children and some of the women, appeared on the television show "This Is Your Life".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Thirty-seven of these identifications confirm known proteins and for further 34 evidence for transcription, but not for the existence of the corresponding protein, can be found in the literature.

Nature

But in recent years, it seems as if every tragedy comes with a round of yarn-spinning, as the Web fills with stories about "false flag" attacks and "crisis actors" — not mere theorizing but arguments for the existence of a completely alternate version of reality.

The New York Times - Magazine

The protection thereof therefore becomes a sine qua non, not only for the respect, but also for the existence of a being – at least in a socio-legal sense – whom we used to refer to as 'man'.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Tight junctions (TJs) are essential not only for dividing epidermal cells into apical and basolateral compartments to create cell polarity [8], but also for the existence of skin barrier function by regulating the selective permeability of the paracellular pathway [9] [11].

Plosone

It is important to remember that other seep environmental factors (geologic settings, seep chemistry and flow rates, substrate types) may vary with depth in the regions studied and, as discussed in the next section these factors are critical not only for the types of communities present, but even for the existence of seep macro- and megafauna.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but for the existence of", ensure the sentence clearly illustrates the direct consequence of the subject's existence. For example, "But for the existence of Building 20, linguistics would not have been developed at MIT."

Common error

Avoid using "but for the existence of" when the relationship is correlational rather than causal. Ensure that the subject's existence is directly responsible for the outcome, not just associated with it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for the existence of" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a condition upon which a statement's truth depends. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something would not have occurred or be true if not for the presence of something else. The examples demonstrate its use in specifying necessary preconditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but for the existence of" serves as a conditional conjunction that highlights a direct causal relationship. It's grammatically correct, as per Ludwig AI, and while not extremely common, its frequency is notable across science, news and media, and academic contexts. The phrase denotes a direct dependency, indicating that a specific outcome hinges on the presence of something else. When using it, ensure the causal link is clear and direct, avoiding mere correlations. For more formal alternatives, consider "had it not been for the existence of". Remember that, although interchangeable in certain contexts with "without", "but for the existence of" stresses the existence of something as the key determinant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but for the presence of

Similar structure, focusing on presence rather than existence.

if it weren't for the presence of

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship.

without the existence of

Directly states the absence of something as a condition.

had it not been for the existence of

More formal and emphasizes a past condition.

were it not for the existence of

Hypothetical and conditional, implying something didn't happen.

absent the existence of

Formal and directly negates the presence of something.

if not for

Shorter, more direct way of expressing the same condition.

owing to the existence of

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

thanks to the existence of

Indicates a positive outcome due to something's presence.

because of the existence of

Directly states causation due to something's presence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but for the existence of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "had it not been for the existence of" or "were it not for the existence of". These options add a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "but for the existence of" interchangeable with "without"?

While both phrases indicate a conditional relationship, "but for the existence of" is more specific. "Without" is broader, while "but for the existence of" emphasizes that the existence of something is the key factor. For example: "Without safety regulations, accidents happen" vs. "But for the existence of safety regulations, the accident could have been worse."

When is it appropriate to use "but for the existence of"?

Use "but for the existence of" when you want to emphasize that a specific outcome is directly dependent on the presence or continuation of something. It's suitable when highlighting a critical factor or condition.

What's a simpler way to say "but for the existence of" in casual conversation?

In more casual settings, you can use phrases like "if not for" or "without" to convey the same meaning in a more concise and easily understood manner.