but one item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but one item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that there is only a single item in contrast to others or to highlight its uniqueness. Example: "In the entire collection, there was but one item that truly stood out to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Heading off another eurozone slump is but one item on Merkel's to-do list.

The Guardian

A few weeks ago, with all but one item on my list already in my shopping cart (along with my 2-year-old), I still needed applesauce.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, theft is but one item on a long list of business problems for American Apparel.

Huffington Post

age 18 46 y 3×600 mg/day of a not defined VAC extract, 3 months Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire No significant effects on all but one item placebo effects better than verum, note however, the extremely high dose Ø Lauritzen et al., 1997 [23] Randomized, double blind.

Clinical Phytoscience

On all but one item the average faculty response was very positive, with a mean between 4 and 5.

CBE Life Sciences Education

In contrast, the factor analysis of the 10-item post-operative ICBG questionnaire revealed that a two-factor model fit the data well, with all but one item loading on a single factor and showing good internal consistency (α = 0.88).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Our study focuses on the actively working population and the following criteria were applied when selecting subjects for the analyses: age less than 65 years (430 excluded), occupationally active (453 excluded), and having answered all, or all but one, items in the SMBQ instrument (20 excluded).

BMC Public Health

We can make such a list, add to such a list, even become more specific about such a list, but no one item on the list can help us explain what gathers all those items together on the list.

University of California, Berkeley

By 1998, Bob Goheen '40 *48 had been retired for 26 years following 15 years as president transforming the entire institution, but not one item on the grounds carried his name.

Princeton University

The goal was to shrink the list over time, but only one item has been removed so far.

The Washington Post

You can buy scarves, bedding and pillows, but the one item you definitely want to take home is one of the blank-paged journals, covered in playful color combinations of simplified Indian prints.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but one item", ensure the context clearly contrasts this single item with a larger set or expectation to highlight its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "but one item" when simply stating a quantity. This phrase is most effective when drawing a contrast or highlighting a unique exception, not just indicating a single object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but one item" functions as a conjunctive phrase that highlights a single exception or unique element within a set. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. It emphasizes contrast and singularity, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but one item" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for emphasizing a single, exceptional element. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating its role in contrasting this item with others. Found commonly in science, news, and formal contexts, it serves to highlight the singularity or unique importance of a specific item. When employing this phrase, ensure it draws a clear contrast to enhance its impact. Alternatives like "only one item" or "just one item" can provide similar emphasis with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only one item

Replaces "but" with "only" for a simpler, more direct expression.

just one item

Substitutes "but" with "just" for a more casual tone, emphasizing the singularity.

a single item

Replaces "but one" with "a single" for a more formal and emphatic expression.

one item only

Inverts the structure to emphasize the exclusivity of the item.

one solitary item

Adds "solitary" to emphasize the isolated nature of the item.

merely one item

Uses "merely" to downplay the significance or quantity of the item.

simply one item

Replaces "but" with "simply" for a straightforward tone.

not more than one item

Emphasizes the limit of quantity, making it clear there are no additional items.

solely one item

Uses "solely" to stress the uniqueness and exclusivity of the item.

exclusively one item

Highlights that the item is the only one, excluding any others.

FAQs

How can I use "but one item" in a sentence?

Use "but one item" to emphasize a single exception or contrast within a larger group. For example: "The store had many products, but one item caught my eye."

What phrases are similar to "but one item"?

Alternatives include "only one item", "just one item", or "a single item", which offer similar emphasis on singularity.

Is it more formal to use "but one item" or "only one item"?

"But one item" can sound slightly more formal or literary, while "only one item" is generally more straightforward and commonly used in everyday language.

Can I use "but one item" to start a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "but one item" may sound awkward. It's generally better to structure the sentence to provide context before introducing the phrase, such as "Of all the options, but one item stood out".