but major

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but major" is not a complete or standard expression in written English, and its usability depends on context.
It can be used when contrasting or qualifying a statement, typically to indicate that something is significant or important despite other factors. Example: "The project faced several challenges, but major progress was made in the last quarter."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But major cases can change social attitudes.

The New York Times

But Major has embraced no strategy.

The New Yorker

But major injury will be".

The New York Times

But major success remained elusive.

The Guardian - Music

But major gaps still remain.

The New York Times

Not 'job done', but major target achieved.

The Guardian - Sport

But major investors said they backed Winters.

The Guardian - Business

But Major said: "Politics … isn't about statistics.

The Guardian

But major populations of bigeye tuna are also declining.

The New York Times - Magazine

But major league baseball is an extremist environment.

The New York Times

But major Hollywood films, no, you couldn't do it.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but major" to introduce a significant contrasting point or qualification. This signals importance despite the preceding statement.

Common error

Avoid using "but major" in highly formal contexts. It can sometimes sound less polished than alternatives like "however significant" or "yet substantial."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but major" functions as a conjunction phrase, linking two contrasting ideas while emphasizing the significance of the latter. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalent use in various contexts, primarily to introduce essential qualifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but major" serves as a conjunction phrase, primarily used to introduce a significant contrast while emphasizing importance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently found in news and media, with some presence in scientific and business contexts. While generally acceptable, it may be less suitable for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "however significant" or "yet substantial" for polished prose. When used appropriately, "but major" effectively signals a critical shift in focus, adding weight to the point being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however significant

Emphasizes the importance of what follows the contrast.

yet substantial

Highlights that what follows is of considerable size or importance.

while considerable

Indicates that something is noteworthy even if other aspects exist.

notwithstanding significant

A formal way of saying "despite" with an emphasis on importance.

albeit important

Acknowledges importance even within a contrasting statement.

though considerable

Similar to "while considerable" but with a slightly different tone.

despite the magnitude

Focuses on contrasting even when something is of high magnitude.

however prominent

Highlights that the following statement is still valid despite prominence.

even with the importance

Indicates that something else is relevant even considering its importance.

in spite of the significance

Formal phrasing indicating something is true regardless of significance.

FAQs

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

"But major" is typically used to introduce a significant contrast or qualification to a previous statement. For example, "The project faced several setbacks, but major progress was made in the last quarter."

What can I say instead of "but major"?

You can use alternatives such as "however significant", "yet substantial", or "while considerable" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but major"?

While "but major" is commonly used, especially in news and media, some may consider it less formal. It is generally acceptable but consider your audience and the formality of the context.

What is the difference between "but major" and "but significant"?

While both phrases introduce a contrast, "but major" emphasizes the scale or importance of the contrast, whereas "but significant" simply highlights the importance. They are largely interchangeable, but "but major" has a slightly less formal tone.