but indiscriminately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but indiscriminately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done without careful consideration or distinction, often in a negative context. Example: "The new policy was implemented, but indiscriminately, leading to confusion among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Critics of stop-and-frisk complain that cops are not abiding by constitutional rules, but indiscriminately going after young black and Hispanic men on bogus grounds — like acting "suspiciously".

The New York Times

But indiscriminately using Simonsohn's method could ensnare scientists acting in good faith, Gill worries.

Science Magazine

Further studies revealed that when the cap was removed, the mRNA bound efficiently but indiscriminately, even when all the other necessary proteins were not present.

Johns Hopkins University

The body's first line of defense is the innate immune system that attacks invaders rapidly but indiscriminately.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their signature mode, as seen in the archive, is not wire cables in a closed room but shooting indiscriminately from an open car.

The New Yorker

In the case of Belenogaster, however, whose nests include about 60 cells, the females not only feed their own brood but also indiscriminately feed all larvae present.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After all, Islamic State fighters not only target and kill Christians (who are the true martyrs in this battle) but they indiscriminately murder Muslims as well.

Huffington Post

Mohammed Zafarullah, imam at the Bait ul Hameed Mosque in Chino, said he would support tracking Muslims with radical tendencies — but not indiscriminately keeping tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Muslims living in the United States peacefully.

Los Angeles Times

"Nobody would like that". Grouping all Muslims together, she said, is a sign that the United States is "regressing instead of progressing". Mohammed Zafarullah, imam at the Bait ul Hameed Mosque in Chino, said he would support tracking Muslims with radical tendencies — but not indiscriminately keeping tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Muslims living in the United States peacefully.

Los Angeles Times

For example, female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) prefer their mates over other males when greeting these males live, but behave indiscriminately towards their mates and other males if they are presented on video (Swaddle et al., 2006).

Biology Open

Dermer reiterated that "every civilian death is unacceptable to Israel," but said "we have an enemy that fires indiscriminately but hides by their own civilians, using hospitals, schools, mosques".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but indiscriminately", ensure the contrast it introduces is clear and adds meaningful nuance to the sentence. Avoid overuse, as it can make your writing seem convoluted.

Common error

Avoid using "but indiscriminately" when a simpler contrast would suffice. Overusing this phrase can dilute your message and make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Prefer simpler alternatives when possible to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but indiscriminately" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting ideas, with "but" signaling the contrast and "indiscriminately" modifying the action or state described. This is supported by Ludwig's examples and the grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but indiscriminately" is a grammatically correct conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrast where there's a lack of careful selection or distinction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively rare, it appears mostly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using it, ensure the contrast is clear. Consider alternatives like "yet without distinction" or "however randomly" for stylistic variation. Avoid overusing it. The examples show that "but indiscriminately" is often used to express the unintended consequences of an action that wasn't carefully planned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet without distinction

Emphasizes the lack of differentiation in the action, similar to "but indiscriminately".

but in a non-selective manner

More verbose, highlighting the absence of a selective process.

however randomly

Focuses on the haphazard nature of the action, implying a lack of deliberate selection.

though without preference

Highlights the absence of favoritism or selective criteria in the action.

yet applied generally

Focuses on the broad application of the action without specific focus.

even so without selection

Similar meaning, but more formal tone.

however without considering differences

Highlights a lack of consideration when discriminating.

nonetheless without targeting

Emphasizes that there are no specific targets for that action.

though acting non-specifically

Focus on how action is taken without any specification.

still without restraint

Focuses on a lack of limitations or controls

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but indiscriminately" in a sentence?

Use "but indiscriminately" to introduce a contrast where something happens without careful selection or distinction. For example: "The program aimed to help, "but indiscriminately", leading to unintended consequences."

What are some alternatives to "but indiscriminately"?

Alternatives include phrases like "yet without distinction", "however randomly", or "though without preference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but indiscriminately"?

Yes, "but indiscriminately" is grammatically correct and can be used to connect contrasting ideas, indicating a lack of careful selection or distinction. Ludwig AI confirms this correctness.

What's the difference between "but indiscriminately" and "but selectively"?

"But indiscriminately" implies a lack of distinction, while "but selectively" implies a deliberate choice based on specific criteria. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a lack of filtering or a purposeful selection process.