but not necessarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not necessarily" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in sentences where you are making a qualification or an exception to a statement. For example, "He generally likes classic rock music, but not necessarily all of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But not necessarily securities.

The Economist

But not necessarily beneficent.

The Economist

But not necessarily.

The New York Times

But not necessarily quants.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tough, but not necessarily wise.

Independent

But not necessarily your affection.

The New York Times - Books

But not necessarily, he adds.

The New York Times

Jewish, but not necessarily observant.

The New Yorker

But not necessarily for long.

Forbes

Schools closed, but not necessarily.

The New Yorker

Willingly, but not necessarily publicly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not necessarily", ensure the exception you are introducing is clear and relevant to the main point. Avoid vagueness to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "but not necessarily", as it can weaken your writing if applied too frequently. Strive for a balance between precision and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not necessarily" serves as a conjunction, connecting two clauses while introducing a qualification or exception. Ludwig examples show its common use to add nuance and precision. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not necessarily" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce qualifications or exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It functions to limit the scope of a statement, indicating exceptions may exist. The register is neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with high frequency in News & Media, Academia, and Science. Alternatives such as "but not always" offer similar nuanced meanings, although the subtle differences in meaning could impact context. Overall, "but not necessarily" is a valuable tool for precise and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but that isn't necessarily so

This emphasizes the potential for the opposite to be true.

but not always

This alternative emphasizes that something is not consistently true.

but not invariably

This implies that something doesn't happen in every instance.

but not automatically

This conveys that something doesn't happen by default.

but not unconditionally

This indicates that something is not true without certain conditions.

however, that's not always the case

This longer phrase offers a more emphatic contradiction.

although it's not a certainty

This clarifies that something is possible, but not guaranteed.

though it's not a given

This suggests that something cannot be taken for granted.

yet that's not assured

This highlights the uncertainty of something happening.

still, it's not a requirement

This indicates that something is optional rather than mandatory.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but not necessarily" in a sentence?

Use "but not necessarily" to introduce a qualification or exception to a statement, providing a more nuanced perspective. For example, "Most cats enjoy chasing mice, but "but not necessarily" all cats do."

What are some alternatives to using "but not necessarily"?

You can use alternatives like "but not always", "but not invariably", or "although it's not a certainty" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "but not necessarily" and "but not always"?

"But not necessarily" indicates that something is not a requirement, while "but not always" suggests that something is not consistently true. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting a lack of necessity or a lack of consistency.

Can "but not necessarily" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "but not necessarily" is appropriate for formal writing as it provides a precise way to introduce exceptions or qualifications. Its frequent use in academic and news sources demonstrates its acceptability in formal contexts.