but not many

USAGE SUMMARY

"but not many" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that there are fewer of something than expected. For example: "There were a lot of people at the party, but not many of them were fascinating conversationalists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But not many".

The New York Times

Some, but not many.

The Economist

"But not many players could".

The New York Times - Sports

But not many in Norway.

The New York Times

But not many more".

The New York Times

But not many Greeks believe that.

The New York Times

A few people noticed, but not many.

The New Yorker

We made some mistakes but not many.

The New York Times - Sports

"Really?" "But not many of them ask".

The New Yorker

He had friends but not many.

The New York Times

Others were there, but not many.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not many" to introduce a contrast after an initial statement suggesting a larger quantity or expectation. For example, "Many applied, but not many were accepted."

Common error

Avoid using "but not many" in situations where an absolute statement is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "All dogs are friendly, but not many are," it's better to say "Some dogs are friendly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not many" primarily functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It qualifies a preceding statement by indicating a limited quantity or frequency, similar to examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not many" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunction phrase that serves to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for use in written English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as highlighted by the Ludwig examples. When using this phrase, remember to employ it to temper expectations or provide a more accurate assessment of a situation, and avoid using it in absolute statements where a more direct qualifier would be more accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, few

Replaces "not many" with a more concise alternative.

though a small number

Emphasizes the limited quantity using a more descriptive phrase.

yet a handful

Uses "handful" to indicate a very small quantity.

still, just a few

Highlights the limited number with added emphasis.

nonetheless, a minority

Indicates that only a small proportion is involved.

even so, not so many

Expresses a similar idea with a slight variation in wording.

but a limited amount

Shifts the focus to the limited quantity or extent.

while only some

Highlights the selectiveness or restrictiveness.

however, a sparse few

Emphasizes the scarcity of the number.

conversely, scarcely any

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a lack of quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "but not many" to express that while something exists or occurs, it is not frequent or widespread. For example, "People say it's easy, "but not many" actually succeed".

What are some alternatives to "but not many"?

You can use phrases like "however few", "though a small number", or "yet a handful" as alternatives to "but not many", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "but not many of them"?

Yes, "but not many of them" is grammatically correct. It specifies that you are referring to a subset of a previously mentioned group. For instance, "Many applied, "but not many of them" were qualified".

What's the difference between "but not many" and "but few"?

"But not many" is generally considered more common and less formal than "but few". Both convey a similar meaning, but "but few" can sound slightly more literary or formal.