but not him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify that someone is excluded from a statement or action, often in contrast to others who are included. Example: "Everyone is invited to the party, but not him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

You, but not him.

The New Yorker

"But not him".

The New York Times - Arts

For her, but not him.

The New York Times

She — his wife — she talks, but not him".

The New Yorker

Everyone else saw a left-handed pitcher, but not him.

The New York Times - Sports

"Maybe some guys would be rattled, but not him.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Like, they know him, like dictator-him, but not him-him.

Vice

Barça is wounded without him, but not only him.

The New York Times - Sports

But me not him.

The New Yorker

But not about him.

The New York Times - Books

But not with him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not him" to clearly and concisely exclude a specific male individual from a group or action being discussed. Ensure the context makes the exclusion clear.

Common error

Avoid using "but not he" in informal contexts; "but not him" is generally more acceptable in everyday speech and writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not him" functions as a coordinating conjunction phrase, used to introduce an exception or contrast to a preceding statement. It serves to specifically exclude a male individual from a group or action that applies to others. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions to explicitly exclude a male individual from a group or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While suitable for various contexts, it is most commonly found in News & Media. For more formal settings, consider "but not he", while "except for him" offers an alternative emphasizing the exclusion. Remember to use "but not her" when referring to a female individual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not that person

Replaces "him" with a more general term, suitable when the specific individual is unknown or less important.

except for him

Highlights the exception of a particular person from a general rule or statement.

excluding him

Focuses on the act of leaving someone out, emphasizing the exclusion itself.

not including him

Similar to 'excluding him', but perhaps slightly more neutral in tone.

he is not

A shorter form, can replace the expression only if the beginning of the sentence already sets the context.

though not him

Introduces a contrast, indicating that while something is true for others, it doesn't apply to 'him'.

yet not him

Similar to 'though not him', emphasizing a contrast or unexpected exception.

however, not him

More formal alternative, using 'however' to introduce the contrasting element.

but not he

More formal and grammatically precise, suitable for academic or legal contexts.

not him, though

Places the emphasis on the exclusion of 'him' by putting it at the start of the fragment.

FAQs

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

Use "but not him" to specify that a particular male individual is excluded from a group or activity. For example: "Everyone received a promotion, "but not him"".

What's a more formal way to say "but not him"?

A more formal alternative is "but not he", although this is less common in contemporary English. For instance, instead of saying "The invitation was extended to all the members, but not him", you could say "The invitation was extended to all the members, but not he".

Can "but not him" be used for someone who is not male?

No, "but not him" refers specifically to a male individual. For a female, use "but not her". For a non-gendered reference, use "but not that person".

What are some alternatives to "but not him" that emphasize exclusion?

Alternatives that emphasize exclusion include "except for him", "excluding him", or "not including him".