but not right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is incorrect or not appropriate in a specific context. Example: "I understand your reasoning, but not right in this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But not right now.

The New Yorker

Maybe, but not right away.

The New York Times

"But not right for you.

The New York Times

Front, back, left — but not right.

The New York Times

"Tomorrow," Adam said, "but not right now".

The New Yorker

Well, I have, but not right now.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But probably not right away.

The New York Times - Sports

But, just not right this second.

Huffington Post

But it's not right.

The New Yorker

"But it's not right to celebrate.

The New York Times

But that's not right at all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not right" to politely correct someone or something without being overly harsh. It softens the disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "but not right" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "however, that is incorrect" or "that is not accurate" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not right" functions as a qualifying conjunction, where 'but' introduces a contrast or exception to a preceding statement, and 'not right' indicates that something is incorrect, unsuitable, or inappropriate. This is supported by Ludwig's observation that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not right" is a commonly used expression functioning as a qualifying conjunction to express disagreement, correction, or reservation in a softened manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It finds frequent use in news and media, academic discussions, and science writing, though its register is generally neutral to informal. While versatile, more precise alternatives may be preferable in formal contexts. When writing, remember to consider the level of formality required by the context to determine whether "but not right" is appropriate or if a more direct alternative would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not correct

Replaces "right" with the more direct synonym "correct".

but not accurate

Substitutes "right" with "accurate", emphasizing a lack of precision or truth.

but not appropriate

Replaces "right" with "appropriate", indicating unsuitability for a particular situation.

but not the time

Focuses on the timing aspect, suggesting that the moment is not suitable.

but not the solution

Highlights that something isn't the correct resolution for an issue.

however, that's wrong

Uses "wrong" to indicate incorrectness, and "however" to create a contrast.

though not ideal

Suggests the situation is not optimal but doesn't necessarily mean it's entirely incorrect.

although not quite

Expresses that something is close but not entirely on target.

yet not suitable

Indicates something is not fitting or convenient for a specific purpose.

but that is incorrect

A more formal replacement using "incorrect" for "right".

FAQs

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

You can use "but not right" to express disagreement or indicate that something is incorrect or inappropriate in a particular context. For example, "I understand your reasoning, "but not right" in this situation."

What's the difference between "but not right" and "but not correct"?

"But not right" is a more informal way of saying something isn't accurate or suitable. "But not correct" is a more direct and slightly more formal way to express that something is wrong. Both phrases are generally interchangeable, but the tone varies slightly.

What can I say instead of "but not right"?

You can use alternatives like "but not correct", "but not accurate", or "but not appropriate" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "but not right"?

"But not right" is suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts where you want to soften a disagreement or correction. It may not be the best choice for very formal or professional settings where more precise language is preferred.