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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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but non

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but non" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be a truncation or a misspelling of "but none," which can be used to indicate the absence of something. Example: "I asked for volunteers, but none showed up."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This occurs at a frequent but non constant rate.

J'ai fait cela dans un but non lucratif.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We consider both cell lines as transformed but non tumorigenic.

Science

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But non-Zulus would object.

News & Media

The Economist

But non-E.U.

News & Media

The New York Times

But non-Jews are also allowed.

News & Media

The New York Times

But non-food industrial commodities remain mixed.

News & Media

The Economist

But non-commitment does have its advantages.

News & Media

The Economist

Bruno would watch, concerned but non-judgmental.

News & Media

The Guardian

But non-metropolitan England must choose.

The internet said to be 'supportive but non-invasive'".

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "but non" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "but none" or "but not".

Common error

A common mistake is assuming "non" can directly follow "but" to negate a condition. Instead, use "but none" or rephrase to include a complete negation, such as "but not".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but non" functions as a conjunction intended to introduce a contrast or exception. However, it is grammatically incomplete, requiring a noun or adjective to follow "non" for proper usage. Ludwig AI indicates this is not correct English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but non" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often a truncation or misspelling. While it appears in a limited number of sources, its usage is inconsistent and lacks grammatical support. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "but none", "but not", or rephrase the sentence for better clarity. Using correct grammar enhances communication and credibility.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "but non" in a sentence?

The phrase "but non" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives such as "but none" or "but not", depending on the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "but non" or "but none"?

"But none" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "But non" is typically considered an error.

What can I say instead of "but non"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "but none", "but not", or rephrase the sentence to use a different construction.

Is "but non" ever appropriate to use?

In most contexts, "but non" is not appropriate. It's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and professionalism.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: