but in combination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but in combination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more elements work together to produce a particular effect or result. Example: "The new software features are impressive, but in combination with the existing tools, they create a powerful solution for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in combination, they are predatory.

The New York Times

But in combination these assumptions deliver a very striking result.

The Economist

And in recent years he has returned to them, not separately but in combination.

The New York Times

But in combination with a sense of guilt and regret imprisonment – real imprisonment – must be torture.

The Guardian

It's not as neat as SmartGlass, but in combination they must have Nintendo a bit worried.

The Guardian - Tech

Gino possessed Mann's "roguish solicitude," but in combination with knowledge, effusiveness, and style.

The New Yorker

The walnut butter itself is delicious, but, in combination with an oyster, proves unpleasantly rich.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both impose social costs on their own, but in combination they create a perfect storm of wealth destruction".

The New Yorker

None of these things will stop Putin tomorrow, but in combination they will work in the end.

The Guardian - Opinion

The four characters at its dark, troubling heart may be fairly innocuous alone, but in combination are potentially lethal.

The Guardian

Today, not only do all these things exist, but, in combination, they've taken us from connected to hyperconnected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but in combination", ensure that the individual elements being combined have been clearly identified beforehand to avoid ambiguity. For instance, rather than saying 'The effects are minimal, but in combination, they're significant', specify 'The individual effects of A and B are minimal, but in combination, they're significant'.

Common error

Avoid using "but in combination" without first establishing the baseline or individual effects of the items being combined. Without this context, the impact of their combination loses its significance. Always clarify what each component contributes on its own before highlighting their combined effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but in combination" functions as a conjunctive phrase to introduce a contrast between individual elements and their combined effect. Ludwig AI shows numerous instances where this phrase is used to highlight a synergistic or emergent property resulting from the interaction of multiple factors. The conjunction "but" signals a shift in perspective, emphasizing that the combined outcome is different from what might be expected based on the individual components.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but in combination" is a highly versatile phrase used to emphasize how individual elements interact to produce a different or more significant result than they would on their own. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various fields, including science, news, and formal writing. When using "but in combination", it's essential to clearly identify the individual elements and their separate effects before highlighting the impact of their combination. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "when combined" or "in conjunction with". Avoid redundancy by omitting "together" after "in combination".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though synergistically

Employs 'though' for contrast and 'synergistically' to highlight the enhanced effect of the combination.

yet in collaboration

Replaces 'in combination' with 'in collaboration', emphasizing the cooperative aspect.

yet jointly

Replaces 'but' with 'yet' and 'in combination' with 'jointly', focusing on the cooperative aspect.

however collectively

Uses 'however' to contrast a previous statement and 'collectively' to emphasize the group action.

even so, conjointly

Uses 'even so' to express contrast and 'conjointly' to mean acting together.

in conjunction though

Switches the order and replaces 'but' with 'though', maintaining the sense of two things working together despite a contrast.

when used together however

Rephrases to emphasize the act of using things together, with 'however' adding a contrast.

nonetheless compositely

Replaces 'but' with 'nonetheless' and 'in combination' with 'compositely', stressing the combined nature.

in aggregate, though

Focuses on the combined result, using 'in aggregate' and 'though' for contrast.

but when considered as a whole

More explicitly describes the act of combining and considering the elements together.

FAQs

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

Use "but in combination" to highlight how the effects or properties of multiple items together differ from their individual effects. For example, "The ingredients separately offer little benefit, but in combination, they create a potent remedy."

What's a simple alternative to "but in combination"?

A simpler alternative is "when combined". Example: "The features are basic; when combined, they offer a comprehensive solution."

Is it redundant to use "but in combination together"?

Yes, using "but in combination together" is typically redundant because "combination" already implies things are together. Stick with "but in combination".

How does "but in combination" differ from "but also"?

"But in combination" emphasizes the interaction and resulting effect of multiple items, while "but also" simply adds an additional element without necessarily implying interaction. For example, "The plan is risky, but also innovative" versus "The chemicals are harmless individually, but in combination, they are corrosive."