but not universally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not universally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true in many cases but not applicable to all situations or individuals. Example: "The theory is accepted by many scientists, but not universally, as some researchers have differing opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

New, perhaps, but not universally admired.

The New York Times - Arts

Commonplace, but not universally accepted.

The New York Times

True, rents on deregulated homes would rise, but not universally.

The Economist

Among his players, he was respected but not universally liked.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Clinton's presence was mostly but not universally welcomed here.

The New York Times

In golf, it is generally (but not universally) true that putting deteriorates with age.

The New Yorker

Allowing parties to operate would make Mr Besigye's war-cry sound hollow.Mr Museveni is still popular, but not universally so.

The Economist

The prevailing, but not universally accepted, hypothesis is that amyloid plaques in the brain play a major role in causing Alzheimer's.

The New York Times

Apparently, it has, to some extent, but not universally, and the standard codes in place tend to be "what works for each trust".

The Guardian

In 1976, a special bicentennial edition celebrated the titles of some of New York's earliest officials, now generally, but not universally, considered to be anachronistic.

The New York Times

The staff is universally charming but not universally clued in; announcing that you have a reservation can result in long whispered discussions, as if this were an entirely new concept.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not universally" to add nuance to generalizations, demonstrating a balanced and thoughtful perspective. This can enhance the credibility of your writing by acknowledging exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "but not universally" when a simple "not always" or "sometimes" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly cautious and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not universally" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying a preceding statement to indicate that it is not true in all cases or for all individuals. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in adding nuance and precision to generalizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but not universally" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to qualify statements and acknowledge exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific publications and business environments. This phrase adds nuance and balance to writing, preventing overgeneralizations and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic. By tempering claims with the understanding that they may not apply in every instance, "but not universally" enhances credibility and fosters a more informed perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not entirely

Indicates a condition or characteristic is mostly but not completely true.

but not completely

Similar to "but not entirely", emphasizing the lack of full completion.

though not always

Highlights that a situation is not consistent in all instances.

although not always

Formally introduces an exception to a general statement.

but not necessarily

Implies that something may or may not be the case.

yet not necessarily

Similar to "but not necessarily", conveying uncertainty.

not in every case

Directly states that a rule or condition has exceptions.

not across the board

Indicates a lack of uniformity in application or occurrence.

with some exceptions

Highlights that not all elements fit a general category.

not without exception

Acknowledges the existence of outliers or exceptions.

FAQs

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

Use "but not universally" to qualify a statement that is generally true but has exceptions. For example, "The software is user-friendly, but not universally, as some users with limited technical skills may find it challenging".

What phrases are similar to "but not universally"?

Alternatives include "but not entirely", "though not always", or "not in every case". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "but not universally" or "but not always"?

"But not universally" emphasizes that something doesn't apply to everyone or everything, while "but not always" highlights that something isn't consistent over time or situations. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "but not universally" and "but not necessarily"?

"But not universally" means something isn't true in all instances, whereas "but not necessarily" implies that something may or may not be true. "Coffee is stimulating, but not necessarily enjoyable" means it might not be enjoyable, while "Coffee is stimulating, but not universally" suggests some people don't find it stimulating.