but not together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not together" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more things are separate or not combined in a particular context. Example: "We can go to the movies and dinner, but not together; let's do one after the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But not together.

The New York Times

All those dancers were doing tendu — but not together!

The New York Times - Arts

Both have been widely recorded, but not together.

The Guardian - Music

Now they will go on being talented, but not together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Studies have examined obesity or depression alone, but not together, despite the established link between them.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

"Together but not together" was the doctrine during the house search.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Either way, sitting together, but clearly not together, they were trying to get better.

The New York Times

He and Katrine have a kid – Gustav, like it – but are not together.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"He told him, 'Remember our motto: always far apart but never not together'," Williams says.

BBC

Baby alligators and day-old ducks can be mailed, but probably not together.

HuffPost

Without someone to orchestrate and lead the performance, everybody might be playing their part but likely not together.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not together" to clearly indicate that two or more elements are separate or should not be combined in a particular context. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but not together" when you actually mean "but separately" or "but independently". Ensure the context genuinely requires emphasizing the lack of combination, rather than simply the existence of individual actions or states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not together" functions as a conjunctional phrase, creating a contrast. It clarifies that while two or more elements might be related or occur in similar contexts, they are not combined or acting as a unit. Ludwig provides examples illustrating this function in various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not together" is a grammatically sound and commonly used conjunctional phrase that serves to express distinction, separation, or lack of combination between elements. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently found in news and media contexts and scientific articles, demonstrating its versatility. While alternatives like "separately" or "independently" exist, "but not together" uniquely emphasizes the absence of a unified action or state. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants highlighting the lack of combination to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separately

Indicates doing something individually or apart from others.

not jointly

Emphasizes the absence of a shared or combined action.

individually

Focuses on the distinctness and independence of each element.

apart from each other

Highlights the physical or conceptual distance between items.

distinctly

Emphasizes the clear and recognizable differences between elements.

in isolation

Stresses the separated or detached nature of something.

independently

Highlights the self-governing and unconnected nature of each element.

not in combination

Directly states the lack of a merged or unified state.

discretely

Focuses on the separateness and non-overlapping nature of items.

not concurrently

Emphasizes that the events are not happening at the same time.

FAQs

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

You can use "but not together" to indicate that two things are separate or not combined. For example, "They work in the same office, but not together." or "We can travel to Europe and Asia, but not together this year".

What's a similar phrase to "but not together"?

Similar phrases include "separately", "individually", or "apart from each other". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but not together"?

Yes, "but not together" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that two or more things are separate or not combined.

What is the difference between "but not together" and "but separately"?

"But not together" emphasizes the lack of combination, while "but separately" emphasizes the individual or distinct nature of the actions or items.