but not this time around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not this time around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being declined or not accepted in the current instance, often after a previous acceptance or occurrence. Example: "I usually enjoy going out with friends, but not this time around, as I have too much work to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

One piece of evidence would be the old Friedman-Schwartz data on money supply, which was allowed to collapse in 1929-33 but not this time around.

The New York Times

The annual exercises normally escalate tensions with the Kim regime but not this time around: a tentative détente is gathering pace and the sworn enemies are preparing for a rare summit later this month.

The Times

alexandra (@alexandrabunton) @LengelDavid an interesting read on walk-off balks: http://t.co/8dmpKCbCdn October 29, 2013 12.47am GMT Red Sox 1 - Cardinals 0, bottom of 2nd Here's Craig, who's hit when he's had the chance, but not this time around.

The Guardian - Sport

Alec Baldwin, the unstable polymath who seems to be becoming a kind of James Franco for old people, says he wants to be mayor, but not this time around.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 16 years of democracy, the faces on the ballots had been dominated by those from the military and political elites - but not this time around.

BBC

But not this time around.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But if not this time around, there is the matter of James's opt-out clause after next season, Year 4 of what so far has to be considered a better first term than Obama's.

The New York Times - Sports

No, there was no zombie outbreak -- at least not this time around -- but a celebration of all things frightful by like-minded fans at the 8th annual Eerie Horror Film Festival.

Huffington Post

Freese was present but not present this time around, striking out seven times — you wanted to look away.

The New Yorker

Berlingske Tidende abstained from printing the cartoons last time around, but not this time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Comparing it with Knowles' older material, Unterberger concluded: "Beyoncé tries her best to imbue them with legitimate emotion, especially on the chorus, but it's just not happening this time around".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not this time around" to clearly indicate a change or deviation from a previous pattern or expectation. This is particularly useful when describing events or situations where outcomes typically follow a certain course.

Common error

While "but not this time around" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternative expressions like "not on this occasion" or "it's different this time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not this time around" functions as a conjunctive phrase, adding contrast to a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatical and serves to indicate that a current situation differs from past occurrences. It serves to emphasize a change in circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not this time around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for indicating a contrast or deviation from a previous occurrence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a conjunctive phrase, primarily used in news and media contexts to highlight a change in circumstances or expectations. While versatile, it's best used sparingly to avoid redundancy, and it can be replaced with alternatives like "not on this occasion" or "it's different this time" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not on this occasion

Replaces "this time around" with a more formal "on this occasion" while retaining the contrastive meaning.

not this time

A shortened version, omitting "around" but keeping the core contrast.

not in this instance

Substitutes "time around" with "in this instance", adding a slightly more formal tone.

it's different this time

A simpler way to state that the present situation is not like the past.

not in the current situation

Replaces "this time around" with "in the current situation", focusing on the present circumstances.

not under these circumstances

Emphasizes the conditions influencing the different outcome.

things are different now

A more general statement indicating a change from the past.

circumstances have changed

Highlights the shift in conditions, implying a different outcome.

this is an exception

Highlights the current case as deviating from the norm.

the situation has evolved

Indicates that changes have occurred leading to a different result.

FAQs

How can I use "but not this time around" in a sentence?

You can use "but not this time around" to express a contrast with a previous event or expectation. For example: "The team usually wins, but not this time around." It's effective in highlighting a change in outcome.

What's a more formal way to say "but not this time around"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "not on this occasion" or "not in this instance". These options provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated style.

Is it correct to say "but not this time" instead of "but not this time around"?

Yes, "but not this time" is a perfectly acceptable and shorter alternative. The meaning remains the same, and it can be used interchangeably in most contexts.

What is the nuance between "but not this time around" and "things are different now"?

"But not this time around" specifically points to a deviation from a past occurrence, while "things are different now" is a broader statement indicating a general change in circumstances. The former is more precise in its contrast.