but not both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'but not both' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that two mutually exclusive options can happen, but not both at the same time. Example: You can pick one of the desserts, but not both.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students must enroll in either CS194 or 194W but NOT both.

Stanford University

But not both together.

The Guardian

Counts as either Ancient or Medieval, but not both.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Counts as Area I or III, but not both.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Either on paper or the computer, but not both.

The Guardian

It can be one or the other, but not both.

The Guardian

I might go out Friday or Saturday, but not both".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I say, reassemble one, for hope, but not both.

The New York Times

Usually a surface is absorbent or repellent, but not both.

The New York Times - Science

One of them could perhaps survive, but not both.

The New York Times - Books

He can please one or the other but not both.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not both" to clearly indicate mutually exclusive choices or conditions, ensuring there is no ambiguity in your writing. For instance, 'Students can receive credit or funding for their research, "but not both"'.

Common error

Avoid using "but not both" when the conditions aren't truly mutually exclusive. Ensure that choosing one option genuinely prevents the other from occurring. For example, don't say 'You can eat an apple or an orange, "but not both"' if someone could reasonably eat both at different times.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not both" functions as a conjunctive phrase that introduces a contrast or limitation. It restricts the possibility of two presented options occurring together, indicating a mutually exclusive relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

38%

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but not both" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction for expressing mutual exclusivity between two options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in academic, news, and scientific domains. Its function is to clearly delineate that only one of the specified options can be chosen or is applicable at a given time. For effective writing, ensure the conditions are truly mutually exclusive to avoid logical inconsistencies. Alternatives like "but only one" or "one or the other" can be used for variety, while avoiding overlapping conditions will improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not together

Highlights the impossibility of two things co-occurring at the same time or within the same context.

but one or the other

Emphasizes the necessity of choosing only one option from two alternatives.

but only one

Directly states that just a single selection is allowed from a group.

but not simultaneously

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating that two events cannot happen at the same time.

but exclusively one

Stresses that the selection of one option inherently excludes the other.

only one is permitted

Formally conveys the rule that only one choice is allowed.

one is allowed, not both

Explicitly clarifies that while one option is acceptable, both together are not.

either this or that

Presents a binary choice where selecting one eliminates the other.

not both at once

Specifies that the two options cannot occur in conjunction.

one at a time

Implies a sequential order where the options must be handled separately.

FAQs

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

Use "but not both" to clearly state that two options cannot be chosen together, emphasizing their mutual exclusivity. For example, "You can have a discount or free shipping, "but not both"".

What phrases are similar to "but not both"?

Alternatives include "but only one", "one or the other", or "either...or", all indicating a choice between two mutually exclusive options.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but not both"?

Yes, "but not both" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to express that two options are mutually exclusive.

When should I use "but not both" instead of "and not both"?

"But not both" is used to connect two clauses where the second clause negates the possibility of both conditions being true simultaneously. "And not both" is less common and might sound awkward; "but not both" is generally preferred for clarity and flow.