but immediately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but immediately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens right away or without delay, often in contrast to a previous statement. Example: "She hesitated for a moment, but immediately decided to take the leap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But immediately after immigration, I was flagged.

The New York Times - Books

But immediately I knew I was wrong.

The New Yorker

The idea is simple but immediately engaging.

The New Yorker

But immediately new questions were raised.

The New York Times - Arts

But immediately, you face two issues.

Harvard Business Review

"But immediately they were liking it".

The New York Times - Food

But immediately, he began inching his way toward the children.

The New York Times - Sports

But immediately after the last class, he asked her out.

The New York Times

When asked to stand up, he tried but immediately collapsed.

The New York Times - Sports

But immediately after the attack, it seemed to work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do it again, but immediately after pressing X, hit down and R.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but immediately" to create a sense of urgency or a quick change in events. It emphasizes that something happened without any delay after a preceding action or situation.

Common error

While "but immediately" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider varying your language with alternatives like "however, instantly" or "yet, at once" for a more polished tone, especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but immediately" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast introduced by "but", followed by an action or state occurring without any delay as signified by "immediately". Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but immediately" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunctive phrase that signifies a quick and often contrasting transition between two events. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across various contexts, especially in news and media, while maintaining a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. While perfectly acceptable, varying your language with synonyms can enhance writing style and prevent redundancy. Remember, the key is to emphasize the swiftness and contrast when using "but immediately".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however instantly

Replaces "immediately" with "instantly" while retaining the contrastive "however".

yet at once

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrast and "at once" to emphasize the immediacy.

though without delay

Substitutes "immediately" with "without delay" after the contrasting "though".

but right away

Replaces "immediately" with the more informal "right away".

conversely straightaway

Uses "conversely" for contrast and "straightaway" to denote the lack of delay.

on the contrary forthwith

Employs "on the contrary" for a stronger contrast and "forthwith" for a formal tone of immediacy.

instead instantaneously

Replaces "but" with "instead" to introduce an alternative and "instantaneously" for emphasis.

notwithstanding promptly

Combines "notwithstanding" for contrast with "promptly" to indicate speed.

despite this instantaneously

Uses "despite this" for contrast and "instantaneously" for emphasis on immediate action.

but in short order

Uses the idiomatic phrase "in short order" to replace immediately, focusing on the swiftness of the action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but immediately" connects two contrasting ideas where the second action happens right after the first. For example, "He hesitated, but immediately decided to go."

What are some alternatives to "but immediately"?

You can use alternatives such as "however instantly", "yet at once", or "though without delay" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "but immediately" in formal writing?

Yes, "but immediately" is grammatically correct. However, for very formal contexts, consider slightly more sophisticated synonyms to enhance the tone, like "conversely straightaway" or "on the contrary forthwith".

What's the difference between "but immediately" and "immediately after"?

"But immediately" connects two contrasting actions with no delay. "Immediately after" specifies that something happens right after a specific event, without necessarily contrasting it. "He finished the race, but immediately collapsed" versus "Immediately after the race, he felt dizzy."