but not much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not much" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small amount or degree of something, often in a context where a comparison is being made. Example: "I enjoyed the movie, but not much compared to the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not much mentioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

But not much happened.

The Economist

But not much (see article).

The Economist

A little, but not much.

Independent

"I had some notoriety, but not much.

The New Yorker

But not much of it remains.

The New York Times

But not much more than that.

The New Yorker

But not much else is known.

The Economist

He had athleticism, but not much else.

The New York Times - Sports

We  had some money but not much.

Independent

But not much else is going right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not much" to provide a sense of understatement or to contrast a prior expectation with a reality that falls short. For example, "I hoped for a promotion, but not much came of it."

Common error

While versatile, "but not much" may sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "but very little" or "but insignificantly" for a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not much" functions as an adversative conjunction phrase, connecting two clauses while indicating a contrast or limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a statement that diminishes or qualifies the preceding one. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express that something had a minimal effect or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not much" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to indicate a small degree or limited effect. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common in news and media, and acceptable in general conversation, it might be too informal for highly academic or professional settings, where alternatives like "but very little" or "but hardly at all" might be more appropriate. Its primary function is to temper expectations or provide an understatement, signaling that something did not meet the anticipated level. The phrase appears frequently in various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but very little

Emphasizes the scarcity or insignificance of something.

but hardly at all

Indicates a near absence or minimal occurrence.

but a little

Highlights that there is some, even if it is a small amount.

but not significantly

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact.

but to a small extent

Formally expresses the limited degree of something.

but only slightly

Emphasizes the marginal difference or change.

but scarcely any

Stresses the rarity or lack of something.

but a trace

Implies there is only a minimal amount or indication.

but just a bit

Informally suggests a small quantity or degree.

but negligible

Highlights that something is so small it can be ignored.

FAQs

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

Use "but not much" to indicate a small quantity, degree, or effect, typically in contrast to something previously mentioned. For example, "The padding helped, "but not much"."

What are some alternatives to "but not much"?

You can use alternatives such as "but very little", "but hardly at all", or "but only slightly" depending on the context.

Is "but not much" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but not much" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "but very little" or "but insignificantly".

What's the difference between "but not much" and "but not at all"?

"But not much" indicates a small amount or degree, while "but not at all" indicates a complete absence or lack of something.