but only with

USAGE SUMMARY

"but only with" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is only true or valid in a specific situation or context. For example: "I'm willing to forgive your mistake, but only with a sincere apology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But only with reform.

The Economist

"But only with my wife".

Independent

But only with my left hand.

The New Yorker

Perhaps, but only with important caveats.

The Economist

Perhaps, but only with Germany's help.

The Economist

"It's possible, but only with everyone's help".

The New Yorker

They rejoiced, but only with each other.

The New York Times - Sports

But only with the blue-green insect".

The New York Times - Food

Yes, but only with great difficulty and with little benefit.

Independent

He can extend the fingers, but only with some effort.

The New York Times

"Overtaking is possible, but only with some risk," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the condition you specify after "but only with" is realistic and achievable to maintain the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "but only with" when there are other, unstated conditions that also apply. This can mislead your audience and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but only with" functions as a conjunction phrase to introduce a condition or limitation to a statement. It signifies that something is true or possible solely under the specified circumstances. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

34%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but only with" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a specific condition or limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively sets boundaries for a statement's validity. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that the condition specified is clear and realistic, avoiding any implied conditions. For alternatives, consider "but solely with" or "but exclusively with". The phrase's versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, providing clarity and precision in conveying conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but solely with

Emphasizes exclusivity; something is possible only with the specified condition.

but exclusively with

Highlights that the condition is the only acceptable one.

but just with

Indicates simplicity; only the specified condition is necessary.

but simply with

Suggests that there is nothing more than this condition.

but merely with

Implies that the condition is surprisingly minimal.

but conditional on

Highlights the dependence on a specific condition.

but subject to

Indicates that the result is dependent on the following condition being met.

but dependent on

Specifies that the outcome relies on the subsequent condition.

but contingent upon

Suggests that the result is not assured and depends on a specific condition.

however, only if

Emphasizes the limiting condition more strongly.

FAQs

How can I use "but only with" in a sentence?

Use "but only with" to introduce a specific condition that must be met for a statement to be true. For example, "The software can be used effectively, "but only with" proper training."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "but only with"?

Similar phrases include "but solely with", "but exclusively with", or "but just with", which all emphasize a specific condition or limitation.

Is "but only with" formal or informal?

"But only with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language. It's commonly used in news articles, scientific papers, and everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "but only with" and "but also with"?

"But only with" indicates a necessary condition, whereas "but also with" suggests an additional element or condition. "But only with" is restrictive, while "but also with" is additive.