but not about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify that a certain topic or subject is excluded from a discussion or consideration. Example: "This report covers various aspects of climate change, but not about its impact on wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dodgson could be passionate when defending old ways of teaching Euclid, but not about much else.

The Economist

He spoke about green jobs and clean energy but not about why these were necessary.

The New York Times

But not about him.

The New York Times - Books

"But not about football".

The Guardian - Film

"We talk, but not about Russia".

The New York Times

I will speak with him but not about this.

Independent

It's of what's going on, but not about it".

The New York Times

Michael cared about shoes, but not about suits".

The New Yorker

Some cleaners know about cleaning, but not about preservation".

The New York Times

Lots to say, but not about ethics per se".

The New York Times

He blogged for ESPN but not about the controversy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not about" to clearly delineate the boundaries of a discussion or analysis, ensuring clarity and preventing potential misinterpretations. For instance: "The study examines the economic impacts of the policy, but not about the social consequences."

Common error

Ensure that the context makes it clear what is being excluded when using "but not about". Vague or ambiguous exclusions can confuse readers and undermine your argument. Be specific about the excluded topic to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not about" functions as a conjunctional phrase used to exclude a specific topic or aspect from a broader statement or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not about" serves as a conjunctional phrase used to exclude specific topics from a discussion, adding clarity and focus. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, backed by its prevalence across different contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly define the excluded topic to prevent ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "excluding the topic of" or "not concerning" can be used for a nuanced expression. Overall, "but not about" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to set boundaries in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not concerning

Directly states that something is not related or relevant.

excluding the topic of

Focuses on explicitly excluding a subject from discussion.

except regarding

Indicates an exception related to a specific topic.

aside from the subject of

Highlights a specific subject as separate from the main discussion.

with the exception of

Formally specifies an exception to what is being discussed.

beyond the scope of

Indicates that a topic is outside the current discussion's boundaries.

not in relation to

Emphasizes a lack of connection between subjects.

leaving aside the matter of

Suggests setting a topic aside for the moment.

disregarding the aspect of

Indicates that a particular aspect is being ignored or not considered.

exclusive of

Formally states that something is not included.

FAQs

How can I use "but not about" in a sentence?

Use "but not about" to specify what a statement or discussion does not cover. For example, "I understand the concerns, "but not about" the proposed solution" indicates agreement with the concerns, but not the suggested solution.

What are some alternatives to "but not about"?

You can use phrases such as "excluding the topic of", "not concerning", or "aside from the subject of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different way to indicate exclusion or limitation.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but not about"?

Yes, the phrase "but not about" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate an exclusion or limitation regarding a particular topic or subject.

What's the difference between "but not about" and "but rather about"?

"But not about" excludes a topic from consideration, while "but rather about" replaces one topic with another. For example, "I'm concerned, but not about the cost; I'm concerned about the timeline" shifts the focus from cost to timeline.