but not then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or situation that is not applicable at a specific time or moment. Example: "I was willing to help you with the project, but not then, as I had other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But not then.

The New York Times - Arts

Designers today are encouraged to be expressive, but not then.

The New York Times - Arts

Many weeks later, that would be true, but not then.

The New Yorker

"There's a time to study, but not then," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

I would be now, probably, but not then.

The Guardian - Music

We're now used to seeing Messi dribble past six players, but not then.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But if not, then not".

The New York Times

But no, not then.

The Guardian - Books

But, if not, then what is it?

The New Yorker

But why not, then, a fatty-foods tax?

The Economist

But if not, then it's sloppy scheduling".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not then" to clearly contrast a past situation with the present or a future possibility. This helps to avoid ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "but not then" in very simple sentences where a more direct contrast can be made. For example, instead of "I wanted to go, but not then", consider "I wanted to go later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not then" functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces a contrasting temporal element. It specifies that a particular condition or action was not applicable or did not occur at a certain point in the past. As noted by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not then" serves as a useful tool to express temporal contrast within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and is observed across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. While versatile, its effectiveness is maximized when utilized to create clear distinctions between past scenarios and present or future possibilities. Avoiding overuse in overly simple sentences helps maintain writing clarity. Alternatives like "but not at that time" can offer added formality when required. Ludwig's analysis suggests that mastering "but not then" enables more precise and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not at that time

Replaces "then" with the more explicit "at that time" for added clarity.

but not at that moment

Substitutes "then" with "at that moment", emphasizing a specific instance.

but not in those days

Emphasizes a longer period in the past when something was not the case.

but not during that period

Specifies a broader timeframe when something didn't occur.

but not under those circumstances

Focuses on the specific conditions that made something inapplicable.

but that wasn't the situation then

Rephrases to focus on the situation being different at that time.

however, that wasn't the case at the time

A more formal and explanatory way of expressing the same idea.

yet, it wasn't so then

Uses "yet" and inverts the sentence structure for a slightly different emphasis.

although not at that point

Uses "although" to introduce the contrasting time frame.

but it wasn't like that then

A more conversational and informal way of expressing the idea.

FAQs

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

Use "but not then" to clearly indicate a contrast in time. For example, "I considered investing in the company last year, but not then, as their financial situation was unstable."

What's a formal alternative to "but not then"?

A more formal alternative would be "but not at that time" or "however, that was not the case at the time". For instance, "The technology wasn't available initially; however, that was "not the case at the time"".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "But not then"?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with "But not then" can sound abrupt. It's often better to include it within the sentence for smoother flow. For example, "I planned to travel, but "not then"; I had other obligations".

How does "but not then" differ from "but not now"?

"But not then" refers to a specific time in the past, while "but not now" refers to the present. For example, "I needed help yesterday, but "not then", everyone was busy. Today, however, I need assistance, but "not now", I'm managing fine".