but otherwise regular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but otherwise regular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is typical or normal in all aspects except for one specific detail or exception. Example: "The meeting was quite uneventful, but otherwise regular, with no major issues to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's a scarred but otherwise regular-looking guy, unless provoked into a rage-induced transformation reminiscent of the Hulk's.

The New York Times - Arts

B-DNA is generally depicted as a smooth helix; however, specific sequences of bases can distort the otherwise regular structure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Playboy injected the sex part of bohemian lifestyles, minus the alienation and penury, into the personae of otherwise regular bourgeois guys.

The New Yorker

A stacking fault in otherwise regular order is marked with a stepped line and associated with a disordered structure; d TED pattern of a single Mo6S4I6 nanowire in the [010] zone assigned in accordance with the proposed space group P63/m and lattice parameters of a hexagonal structure with: a = 1.88 5) nm and c = 1.18 nm.

Nanoscale Res Lett

Great Wild Goose Pagoda is a popular tourist site #5 Muslim Quarter Descendants of silk road traders who stayed behind, Xi'an's Muslim Hui population is concentrated in a teeming and colorful maze of streets which interrupt the otherwise regular grids of town.

Huffington Post

This involves lengthening individual notes slightly or interpolating a short note into an otherwise regular rhythm (see Example 3), or shortening or lengthening every note of a rhythm by the same duration (adding a semiquaver to every note in a rhythm on its repeat, for example).

Wikipedia

The zonal boundaries are created between the zones in the process of domain decomposition, but otherwise they are regular interior field points.

Journal of Computational Physics

Both Muslims and Jews were required to pay a regular tribute, but otherwise they were allowed to worship freely and to administer their own affairs according to Islamic or Judaic law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fast-forward to Saturday, when an arbitrator shortened the suspension to 162 games — the 2014 regular season — but otherwise upheld MLB's ruling.

Los Angeles Times

Police departments in Los Angeles and San Diego said they would follow the Highway Patrol's lead, offering assistance when called upon, but otherwise not deviating significantly from their regular patrols.

The New York Times

The Black Sea coastline is otherwise fairly regular.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but otherwise regular", ensure the 'but' clause clearly introduces the exception or contrast to the general regularity to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "otherwise regular" without the preceding 'but' or a similar contrasting conjunction, as it may lead to ambiguity about what is being contrasted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but otherwise regular" functions as a conjunctive phrase, highlighting a contrast or exception to a general state. While examples are limited, the phrase, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but otherwise regular" is a conjunctive phrase used to indicate that something is generally normal, with a specific exception. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. While there's a lack of available examples, the phrase aims to provide nuanced descriptions by acknowledging irregularities without dismissing the general pattern. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'but' clause clearly introduces the exception to maintain clarity. Alternatives include "except for that one detail" or "apart from that one thing". It has a neutral register and is suitable for professional and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for that one detail

Focuses on a single exception.

apart from that one thing

Highlights a specific element that deviates from the norm.

however, mostly normal

Uses "however" to introduce the exception, emphasizing the overall normality.

yet, generally typical

Emphasizes the typical nature with a slight contrast.

save for that instance

Highlights a specific exception.

but for this single deviation

Highlights a deviation.

besides this unique case

Indicates that there's a unique exception to the general case.

with that exception

Simply states that there is an exception.

excluding that specific situation

Focuses on excluding a specific situation from the norm.

barring that particular aspect

Specifies an aspect that is not included in the general rule.

FAQs

How can I use "but otherwise regular" in a sentence?

Use "but otherwise regular" to show that something is generally normal except for a specific detail. For example, "The meeting was lengthy, "but otherwise regular", with no major issues discussed."

What are some alternatives to "but otherwise regular"?

Alternatives include phrases like "except for that one detail", "apart from that one thing", or "however mostly normal", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but otherwise regular"?

While starting a sentence with "but" is acceptable, following it immediately with "otherwise regular" may sound awkward. It's better to have a subject before "but". For example, "The process is usually complex, "but otherwise regular"."

What's the difference between "but otherwise regular" and "generally regular"?

"But otherwise regular" implies a specific exception to an established regularity, whereas "generally regular" suggests a common but not necessarily consistent regularity. For example: "The event was chaotic at first, "but otherwise regular"" versus "The event was "generally regular"".