but not extensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not extensive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is limited in scope or size, often in contrast to something that is more comprehensive or thorough. Example: "The research provided some insights into the topic, but not extensive enough to draw definitive conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In the low quantity/low quality treatment, realized fecundity decreased strongly in females from intensive, but not extensive landscapes.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The Environment Agency indicates that the Small Brook may be subject to occasional, but not extensive flooding.

Wikipedia

The application of direct sampling methods, such as flow injection ESI, can avoid chromatographic separation [28], but not extensive sample preparation that can affect sample integrity and, in some cases, may lead to metabolite degradation.

Plosone

Mucus was viscous but not extensive in amount.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

A reduced relapse risk was significantly associated with limited but not extensive chronic GVHD.

Bone Marrow Transplantation

This supernetwork was nearly star-like, with some (but not extensive) incongruence concerning relationships among species (Fig. 2C).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Reviews on fall detection technologies exist but are not extensive.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

The museum was buffeted by major cost overruns and criticized for the limited scope of its collection, one that would have fitted in well into another museum but was not extensive enough to stand on its own.

Los Angeles Times

He writes that a middle ground must be struck, in which regulation is effective and extensive, but not too extensive.

The Economist

The EPA's regulation of GHGs under the CAA was extensive, but not so extensive as to make an appreciable dent in GHG emission projections.

The Washington Post

The papers include some documentation of Kay's family and personal life, but it is not extensive.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not extensive" to clearly define the boundaries of a particular aspect, ensuring the reader understands the scope isn't unlimited or all-encompassing. For instance, "The initial investigation was helpful, but not extensive enough to uncover all the underlying issues."

Common error

Avoid using "but not extensive" when a stronger term like "negligible" or "minimal" would be more accurate. Overstating the limitation can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not extensive" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce a qualification or limitation to a preceding statement. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears to temper or restrict the scope of a claim.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not extensive" serves as a qualifier, limiting the scope or degree of something previously mentioned. Ludwig examples show its use in various fields like science, news, and academia. While grammatically correct and versatile, the phrase is not super-frequent. Considering its function, aim for clarity in your statements by choosing stronger descriptors, if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not broad

Replaces "extensive" with "broad", focusing on the breadth or scope of something.

but not comprehensive

Substitutes "extensive" with "comprehensive", highlighting the completeness of something.

but not thorough

Replaces "extensive" with "thorough", emphasizing the depth and detail of something.

but not large-scale

Emphasizes that something is not happening on a grand or wide-reaching level.

but not widespread

Indicates that something is not present or happening in many places or among many people.

but not substantial

Replaces "extensive" to suggest something lacks significant size or importance.

but not considerable

Indicates that something is not of a significant amount or degree.

but somewhat limited

Uses "limited" instead of "extensive", directly stating that something has restrictions.

but not all-encompassing

Highlights that something does not cover everything or include all aspects.

but not unbounded

Emphasizes the absence of infinite reach or limitlessness.

FAQs

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

Use "but not extensive" to indicate that something is limited in scope or degree. For example, "The research provided some insights, but not "extensive" enough to draw firm conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "but not extensive"?

You can use alternatives like "but "not broad"", "but "not comprehensive"", or "but "somewhat limited"" depending on the context.

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

Yes, the phrase "but not extensive" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to express a qualified limitation.

What is the difference between "but not extensive" and "but not thorough"?

"But not extensive" implies a limit in scope or scale, whereas "but not "but not thorough"" suggests a lack of depth or detail in the examination or execution of something.