but not too

USAGE SUMMARY

"but not too" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use "but not too" to indicate a limit or degree of something. For example, "I want to be successful, but not too successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not too broadly.

The New York Times - Sports

But not too slowly.

The New Yorker

But not too friendly.

The Economist

"But not too fast.

The New Yorker

But not too much.

The New York Times

Classic, but not too conservative.

The New York Times

"Wait, but not too long.

Independent

Push, but not too hard.

The New York Times - Sports

Sweet, but not too sweet.

The New York Times

But Not Too Much.

The New York Times - Food

But not too busy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not too" to add a nuance of moderation to your advice or descriptions. This prevents your suggestions from being interpreted as extreme or excessive.

Common error

Avoid using "but not too" repeatedly in a single sentence or paragraph. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not too" functions as a qualifier or a conjunctional phrase. It serves to moderate a previous statement, introducing a necessary limit or boundary. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to prevent extremes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not too" is a versatile conjunctional phrase used to introduce moderation or limitation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and informal writing. When using "but not too", aim to add helpful nuance to your writing while avoiding overuse in any sentences. Consider using alternative expressions like "but within reason" or "but not excessively" to improve clarity. Remember, the phrase functions as qualifier or conjunctional phrase. It's frequently found in news, but it has different level formal and scientific registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not overly

Replaces "too" with "overly", focusing on avoiding being excessive.

but not excessively

Substitutes "too" with "excessively", emphasizing the avoidance of overdoing something.

but not to extremes

Focuses on avoiding extreme levels or behavior, instead of using "too".

but within reason

Replaces "too" with "within reason", implying a boundary of acceptability.

but only so far

Implies a specific limit or boundary that should not be exceeded.

but in moderation

Uses the phrase "in moderation" to express the concept of keeping something within reasonable limits.

but judiciously

Suggests using careful judgment to avoid excess, replacing "not too" with a single adverb.

but with restraint

Emphasizes the need for controlled behavior or action, swapping "too" with "restraint".

but kept in check

This phrase highlights the active management or control required to prevent excess.

but tempered with

Indicates a balance or modification of something to prevent it from being excessive.

FAQs

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

Use "but not too" to indicate a desired limit or degree, suggesting moderation. For example, "Be creative, "but not too wild"", implies creativity within reasonable boundaries.

What are some alternatives to "but not too"?

Alternatives include phrases like "but within reason", "but not excessively", or "but in moderation". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but not too"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showcasing numerous examples from reputable sources.

How does the meaning change if I omit "but not too"?

Omitting "but not too" can remove the nuance of moderation. For example, "Be assertive" is a stronger statement than "Be assertive, "but not too aggressive"", which implies a need for balance.