but god

USAGE SUMMARY

'but god' is not correct in written English.
If you want to express some kind of surprise, you would rather use 'Oh god' or 'Goodness!' in a written context. Example sentence: I thought I'd never get the job, but goodness! I was wrong.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

NO GOD BUT GOD, (Random House, $17).

The New York Times - Books

"Nobody knows but God".

The New York Times - Sports

But God is watching.

The New York Times

But God helped me.

The New York Times

But God doesn't make mistakes.

The New York Times

But God, it was hard.

The New York Times

But God how we fought!

The New Yorker

But God love 'em.

The New York Times - Arts

But God, it's hard.

The Guardian

But God particle?

The New Yorker

But God is merciful".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider replacing "but god" with more appropriate interjections like "oh god", "good heavens", or "my goodness" depending on the context and desired tone.

Common error

Avoid using "but god" in formal writing or professional communications. Its informal nature can undermine the credibility of your message and may be perceived as disrespectful in certain settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but god" functions primarily as an interjection, expressing surprise, frustration, or emphasis. While Ludwig presents examples of its usage, it's important to note, as Ludwig AI points out, that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "but god" appears frequently in various sources, particularly news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its function is primarily as an interjection to express surprise or frustration, making it suitable only for informal contexts. When writing professionally or academically, consider using alternatives such as "oh god", "good heavens", or "my goodness" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Always consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing between informal and formal expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oh god

Replaces 'but' with 'oh' to express surprise, dismay, or exasperation directly, avoiding the grammatical issue.

my goodness

Provides a milder, more general expression of surprise or concern.

good heavens

Substitutes the phrase with a more polite exclamation of surprise or shock.

but wow

Substitutes with an exclamation of surprise, often in response to something impressive or unexpected.

goodness gracious

Offers a more emphatic and traditional expression of surprise or shock.

dear lord

Replaces the phrase with a more reverent expression of surprise, supplication, or exasperation.

but really

Replaces the exclamation with an intensifier to stress the truth or importance of something.

but honestly

Emphasizes the speaker's sincerity, rather than using a religious exclamation.

but seriously

Shifts the focus to emphasize the seriousness of a statement, rather than invoking a deity.

but alas

Introduces a sense of regret or sorrow, rather than a direct religious invocation.

FAQs

How can I use a more grammatically correct alternative to "but god"?

Consider alternatives such as "oh god", "good heavens", or "my goodness" depending on the context and your desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "but god" and "oh god"?

"But god" is often used informally to express surprise or frustration, while "oh god" is a more standard interjection for similar emotions. "Oh god" is generally considered grammatically acceptable, while "but god" is not.

When is it appropriate to use "but god"?

The phrase "but god" is generally appropriate only in informal settings, such as casual conversations with friends or in creative writing where a character might use such an expression. Avoid it in formal or professional contexts.

Are there regional variations in the usage of "but god"?

The usage of "but god" may vary regionally, with some areas finding it more common or acceptable than others. However, regardless of regional usage, it remains grammatically incorrect in standard English.