but not perpetually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not perpetually" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is temporary or not lasting indefinitely. Example: "I enjoy this hobby, but not perpetually; I need to take breaks to focus on other responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he and his administration need to do a lot more to show they are on top of this mess, and not perpetually behind the curve.

The New York Times

Care should also be taken not to glamorise suicide or its victims; and not perpetually to repeat details of past suicides at a particular place.

Independent

Terms like "invading hordes" have been used for decades now to describe a human flow — mostly illegal since the 80s — widely seen as inevitable if not perpetually growing.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the prospect of a substantial increase in pensioners in the remainder of the 21st century has led to fears in some quarters that the "compact between generations" may not perpetually be honoured.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The fact that many, perhaps most addicts are in control of their actions and appetites for circumscribed periods of time shows that they are not perpetually helpless victims of a chronic disease," Dr. Satel said.

The New York Times - Arts

Hockey seems to have forgotten or ignored that budgets and fiscal policy are about the government managing the business cycle, not perpetually striving for the smallest budget deficit possible.

The Guardian - Business

To achieve this, he wants to add institutions and practices so that its bosses are not perpetually flying by the seat of their pants—something that even Mr Iverson admits was a weakness".Our size", insists Mr Aycock, "means the boss simply can't know everything that goes on".

The Economist

While Christianity thus takes up the historical task of guiding the world towards redemption, it would lose its way, according to Rosenzweig, if the Jewish people did not perpetually serve as reminder, through its own communal anticipation of redemption, of the kind of unity before the divine for which the world is to strive.

SEP

So, when we do create our own spaces, men are not perpetually disadvantaged because of them.

Huffington Post

There are, in fact, female college students who are not perpetually on the prowl for a boyfriend.

Huffington Post

In Mann's view, education operates as the "balance wheel of the social machinery," ensuring that one class does not perpetually possess "all the wealth and the education, while the residue of society is ignorant and poor".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not perpetually" to introduce a contrast, indicating a condition or action is limited in duration or consistency. This helps avoid implying an unending or unchanging state.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "but not perpetually" can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "but not always" or "but not forever" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not perpetually" functions as a conjunction that introduces a qualification or contrast. It indicates that a previously mentioned condition or action is limited in duration or consistency. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not perpetually" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast, clarifying that a condition or action is limited in duration or consistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its main function is to refine and set boundaries for a statement. Given the limited number of examples, the phrase is rare and leans towards formal contexts. When used, make sure to use it in appropriate contexts like legal writing and also consider alternatives for a less formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not indefinitely

Replaces "perpetually" with "indefinitely", suggesting a limit to the duration.

but not forever

Uses the simpler term "forever" instead of "perpetually", conveying the same idea of a finite duration.

but not in perpetuity

Employs the legal term "in perpetuity" to convey the absence of endlessness.

but not constantly

Replaces "perpetually" with "constantly", focusing on the lack of continuous action.

but not continually

Substitutes "perpetually" with "continually", highlighting the absence of uninterrupted sequence.

but not permanently

Replaces "perpetually" with "permanently", focusing on the lack of a fixed or lasting state.

but not always

Emphasizes the lack of consistent occurrence rather than duration.

but not ceaselessly

Uses "ceaselessly" to replace "perpetually", emphasizing an end to the activity.

but not without end

Offers a more descriptive and emphatic way of saying something is not endless.

but not invariably

Shifts the focus to the lack of consistent outcome or result, rather than duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "but not perpetually" to indicate that something is temporary or not lasting indefinitely. For example: "I enjoy this hobby, "but not perpetually"; I need to take breaks to focus on other responsibilities."

What's a simpler alternative to "but not perpetually"?

Alternatives include "but not always", "but not forever", or "but not indefinitely". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "but not perpetually" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, "but not perpetually" can be considered quite formal. In more casual writing, consider using "but not always" or "but not forever" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "but not perpetually" and "but not permanently"?

"But not perpetually" focuses on the continuity of an action or state, while "but not permanently" ( "but not permanently" ) emphasizes the duration of its existence. Something that is not perpetually happening may still be permanent, and vice versa.