but not always correct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not always correct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something may be true in some instances but not universally applicable. Example: "The information provided is helpful, but not always correct, so please verify it with additional sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Something said often enough does not make it so; our study reminds us that hypotheses should be tested and evaluated within their specific context if we are to avoid the risk of developing our science on widely accepted, but not always correct premises.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

G-CSF treatment in patients with ELANE mutations does in general resolve neutropenia but does not always correct the deficiency in granule-associated proteins that is seen during neutropenia [ 31, 46, 47].

Annals of Hematology

But first impressions are not always correct.

The New York Times - Sports

But the segmentation results are not always correct which needs to be adjusted manually.

BioMed Research International

The English language is not always correct, despite native English speaker correction at some point in manuscript evolution.

F1000Research

It has been shown that this standard Arthropod molecular clock is not always correct [ 121], but since age determination was not the main goal of this paper, we included this approach in order to get a rough estimate of the timing of diversification.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This idea of a combination of signal and noise is quite reasonable, but the analysis presented here indicates that the distributional assumptions are not always correct.

BMC Genomics

This assumption is not always correct.

Fisheries Research

However, this principle is not always correct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The majority is not always correct.

The New York Times

The initial reports of any incident are not always correct.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not always correct", follow it with an explanation or alternative to provide a more complete picture. For example, 'The initial assessment was helpful, but not always correct, so we conducted a more thorough investigation.'

Common error

Avoid using "but not always correct" without providing context. Readers might misinterpret it as a dismissal rather than a nuanced critique. It's better to explain under which conditions it might not be correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not always correct" functions as a qualifier or a hedge. It serves to temper a statement, indicating that while something may generally be true or applicable, there are instances where it is not. Ludwig confirms that the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but not always correct" is a useful tool for introducing nuance and acknowledging limitations in a statement. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, from science and news media to academic writing. It serves as a qualifier, preventing overgeneralizations and promoting a balanced perspective. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to provide further context or alternative perspectives to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations. Remember, while something may often be true, "but not always correct" reminds us that exceptions and limitations exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not invariably accurate

Replaces "correct" with "accurate", implying a focus on precision rather than general truth.

but not necessarily right

Substitutes "correct" with "right", suggesting a moral or ethical dimension instead of just factual accuracy.

but not always the case

Uses a more general term "the case" to express that something might not always be true or applicable.

but not consistently valid

Replaces "correct" with "valid", implying the subject may be correct sometimes, but not according to the rules of logic.

but not entirely accurate

Emphasizes that there are inaccuracies, though the subject may be right to some extent.

but not universally true

Focuses on the lack of universal application, instead of merely that there may be some inaccuracies.

but not always precise

Implies that something lacks exactness, which may be important in the context.

but not always dependable

Highlights that the subject in question lacks in reliability, which can be key in several contexts.

but not necessarily so

Uses a more concise and emphatic way of saying that something might not be true or applicable.

but it isn't always so

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize that it is not always the reality.

FAQs

How can I use "but not always correct" in a sentence?

You can use "but not always correct" to indicate that something is generally true or reliable, but there are exceptions. For example: "This method is usually effective, but not always correct."

What are some alternatives to "but not always correct"?

Alternatives include "but not necessarily right", "but not invariably accurate", or "but not universally true". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "but not always correct" or "but not always accurate"?

Both "but not always correct" and "but not always accurate" are acceptable. "Correct" implies being in accordance with fact or truth, while "accurate" implies being exact or precise. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing general truth or specific precision.

When should I use "but not always correct" instead of simply saying something is "incorrect"?

Use "but not always correct" when something is generally valid or useful, but has exceptions or limitations. It acknowledges a degree of validity while pointing out potential flaws, providing a more balanced assessment than a simple "incorrect" statement.