but not today

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not today" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not happening now, but may happen in the future. For example: "She wanted to go for a walk, but not today; it's too cold outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Soon, but not today".

The New Yorker

But not today, people!

The New York Times

Maybe, but not today.

The Washington Post

But not today, pal.

The New Yorker

But not today, and not tomorrow.

The New York Times

But not today," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But not this year, alas.

The Economist

But not last week, and not in Beijing.

The New York Times

But not yesterday.

The Washington Post

MK886, but not GW9662, prevented this effect.

European Journal of Pharmacology

But not this year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not today" to soften a negative response or to indicate that something might happen in the future, just not at the present time.

Common error

Avoid using "but not today" excessively, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not today" functions as a conjunction phrase, typically used to introduce a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement. It indicates that while something might be possible or desirable, it will not occur on the present day. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not today" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something will not occur at the present time, although it may be considered later. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves as a neutral way to defer or soften a response. While versatile, alternatives like "not at the moment" or "maybe later" can prevent overuse. Its widespread presence across various authoritative sources underscores its acceptability in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not today, perhaps another day

Explicitly defers something from the current day to a possible future one.

not happening now

Focuses on the present inability or unwillingness for something to occur.

it's not going to happen now

States directly that something will not occur in the present.

not this time

Emphasizes that on this particular occasion, something will not occur.

not at the moment

Highlights that something is not currently possible or desirable.

maybe later

Indicates a possibility of something happening in the future, without specifying when.

not in the cards

Suggests that something is not meant to happen or is not part of the plan.

some other time

Postpones something to an unspecified future occasion.

that will have to wait

Implies a need to delay something, often due to other priorities.

not in the foreseeable future

Suggests that something is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

FAQs

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

You can use "but not today" to express that something will not happen currently, though it might occur later. For example: "I'd love to go to the beach, but "not today"; I have too much work to do."

What are some alternatives to saying "but not today"?

You can use alternatives like "not at the moment", "maybe later", or "not this time" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While it's more common to use "but not today" as a clause within a sentence, starting a sentence with "But not today" is acceptable, especially in informal contexts, for emphasis or dramatic effect.

What's the difference between "but not today" and "but not tomorrow"?

"But not today" indicates that something won't happen on the current day, whereas "but not tomorrow" implies it won't happen on the following day. They both express postponement but specify different timeframes.