but goodness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but goodness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis in a conversation or narrative. Example: "I thought the meeting would be boring, but goodness, it turned out to be quite engaging!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But goodness itself, the Good, transcends the natural world; it is a supernatural property.

SEP

Rather, authority and power are essentially coequal: whoever has power has the right to command; but goodness does not ensure power and the good person has no more authority by virtue of being good.

SEP

But, goodness, those acceptance speeches.

The Guardian - Music

It is manipulative, but goodness it's potent.

The Guardian

Unfashionable, yes, but, goodness, what a feast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But, goodness me, how enjoyable it is!

The Guardian

Evil will entrap us, but goodness will return.

The New Yorker

But, goodness, we have to get it right.

The Guardian

But, goodness knows, Cameron is still there for the taking.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, goodness, how that testosterone positively drips off the screen.

The Guardian

To have been purified is to have cleansed away everything alien: but Goodness is something more.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but goodness" to inject a touch of surprise or mild contradiction into your writing, adding a subtle layer of emotion or emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "but goodness" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound out of place. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but goodness" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting contrasting ideas while injecting a mild sense of surprise or emphasis. Ludwig confirms its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but goodness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express surprise or mild contrast. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid its use in strictly formal writing, opting for more neutral connectors. Remember to use it to add a subtle emotional layer to your sentences, but avoid overuse in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but heavens

Replaces "goodness" with "heavens" offering a slightly more emphatic or old-fashioned expression of surprise.

but gracious

Substitutes "goodness" with "gracious", conveying a similar level of surprise or mild shock, often used in a slightly more formal context.

but golly

Replaces "goodness" with "golly", providing a more informal and playful expression of surprise.

yet goodness

Replaces "but" with "yet", slightly shifting the emphasis to highlight a contrast or unexpected element.

still goodness

Replaces "but" with "still", indicating a sense of continuation or persistence despite a contrasting element.

however goodness

Substitutes "but" with "however", offering a more formal and direct contrast while retaining the sense of surprise.

nonetheless goodness

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless", creating a more formal and sophisticated contrast, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

despite that goodness

Adds "despite that" before "goodness" to explicitly highlight the contrasting situation, suitable for more detailed explanations.

even so goodness

Replaces "but" with "even so", suggesting that despite a preceding statement, the surprising or emphatic element still holds true.

but mercy

Substitutes "goodness" with "mercy", creating a similar expression of surprise or mild shock, often with a religious or old-fashioned connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "but goodness" in a sentence?

"But goodness" is typically used to express surprise, disbelief, or mild contradiction, as in, "I expected the movie to be dull, "but goodness", it was captivating!"

What phrases are similar to "but goodness"?

Alternatives include "but heavens", "but gracious", or "but mercy", which offer similar levels of surprise or emphasis depending on context.

When is it appropriate to use "but goodness"?

It's appropriate in informal conversation or writing where you want to express surprise or a mild contradiction, but it may not be suitable for formal academic papers.

What is the difference between "but goodness" and "however"?

"But goodness" conveys a sense of surprise or mild shock, while "however" is a more neutral and formal way to introduce a contrasting statement. Use "however" when the tone should be more professional.