but for this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but for this" 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 a specific factor or circumstance. Example: "But for this unexpected turn of events, we would have completed the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But for this".

The New Yorker

But for this, there is nothing.

Independent

But for this announcement, everyone was upbeat.

The New York Times - Tech

But for this country's competitiveness.

The New York Times

"But for this job, it's very nice".

The New York Times

But for this, I choose Erykah.

The Guardian - Music

But for this purpose, that's the concept, all right?

Cornell University

But for this, too, Mr. Ghosn has a counterargument.

The New York Times

But for this short a period he's in that group.

The New Yorker

Obviously not for the Republican primary, but for this state?

The New York Times

But for this, they require two essential tools.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but for this" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship where a specific condition or factor is crucial for an outcome. For example, "But for this intervention, the project would have failed."

Common error

Avoid using "but for this" when simply adding information. This phrase is best when indicating that without the specified element, the outcome would be different. Incorrect: "The presentation was well-received, but for this reason, it was successful." Correct: "But for the presenter's engaging style, the presentation would not have been so well-received."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but for this" functions as a connector, linking a condition to its hypothetical outcome. It implies a cause-and-effect relationship, where the stated outcome depends on the presence of the condition. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but for this" is a versatile and frequently used connector to express dependence or conditionality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. It's a valuable tool for clearly establishing cause-and-effect relationships. When using "but for this", ensure you're highlighting that a specific condition is crucial for the outcome, and avoid using it when simply adding information. Alternative phrases like "except for this" or "without this" can also be employed, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without this

Directly indicates the absence of something as a necessary condition.

except for this

Emphasizes an exception to a general statement.

apart from this

Similar to "except for this", indicating something is excluded.

but for this reason

Highlights the specific reason as the determining factor.

aside from this

Indicates something is not being considered.

save for this

Indicates an exception or exclusion.

excluding this

Explicitly omits something from consideration.

were it not for this

More formal and hypothetical, expressing a condition contrary to fact.

if it weren't for this

Similar to "were it not for this" but less formal.

had it not been for this

Refers to a past condition that prevented something from happening.

FAQs

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

Use "but for this" to indicate that a particular outcome would not have occurred without a specific condition. For example, "But for this assistance, we wouldn't have succeeded."

What can I say instead of "but for this"?

You can use alternatives like "except for this", "without this", or "if it weren't for this" depending on the context.

Is "but for this" formal or informal?

"But for this" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase.

What's the difference between "but for this" and "because of this"?

"But for this" implies a hypothetical scenario where something would not have happened without a specific factor, while "because of this" directly states a cause-and-effect relationship. You could say "But for this help, I wouldn't be here now" instead of stating what specifically caused it to happen.