but rather about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'but rather about' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to contrast two ideas or thoughts and indicate that what you are referring to is not one thing, but something else. For example, "We were not talking about the weather, but rather about the new book I had just read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her message is not about religion but rather about, in her words, "life and living".

The New York Times

But hating evil is not revenge but rather about upholding the infinite value of life and preserving justice.

Huffington Post

Here, though, Olsen isn't talking about other people's working conditions but, rather, about her own.

The New Yorker

Ask not about the rhetoric, but rather about the reimbursement rates.

The New York Times

The song is not about the famous painting, but rather about Lisa Simpson.

The New Yorker

She has barely talked about domestic, European or foreign policy, but rather about trust.

The Economist

The privacy issue is not about a dollar value but rather about permission-marketing.

The New York Times - Tech

No, this is not about the twilight zone, but rather about reincarnation, baseball style.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not about something that happened but rather about the way things work.

The New York Times

In doing so "cheating" is no longer about breaching fidelity but rather about breaking these agreements.

The Guardian

He said yesterday: "This is not a row about impartiality but rather about humanity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but rather about" to clarify a point by contrasting it with a common misconception or a previously stated idea. This helps to guide the reader towards the intended understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "but rather about" when a simple affirmative statement will suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted. For example, instead of saying "It's not about cost, but rather about value", consider "It's about value" if the cost isn't a relevant contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rather about" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a clarification or correction of a previously stated idea or assumption. It serves to redirect the focus of the discussion, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but rather about" serves as a conjunction to clarify or correct a previous statement, shifting the focus to a more accurate or relevant point. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring a genuine need for contrast. Alternatives like "but actually about" or "but essentially about" can provide more concise options. Overall, mastering its nuances enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but actually about

Uses "actually" for emphasis, suggesting a revelation or correction of a misunderstanding.

but in reality about

Emphasizes the true nature of the subject matter, contrasting it with a perceived or superficial view.

but primarily about

Suggests that while other aspects exist, the main focus is on the specified subject.

but instead of

Replaces "rather about" with "instead of", shifting the focus from redirection to substitution.

but essentially about

Indicates the basic or most important element of the subject, simplifying the concept.

but more specifically about

Adds precision by specifying the focus more acutely than the original phrase.

but significantly about

Emphasizes the notable importance of the subsequent topic.

but fundamentally about

Highlights the core or essential aspect of the topic under discussion.

but centrally about

Focuses on the pivotal aspect, suggesting that other elements revolve around this central theme.

but concerning

Replaces the entire "rather about" portion with "concerning", making the sentence more direct.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but rather about" to sound more concise?

You can use alternatives such as "but actually about", "but essentially about", or simply "but concerning" depending on the context. These options can help streamline your sentence while maintaining the intended meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "but rather about"?

While grammatically correct, "but rather about" can be redundant in situations where a simple affirmative statement is more appropriate. Overusing it may make your writing sound convoluted. For example, instead of "It's not about A, but rather about B", consider "It's about B" if A is irrelevant.

What's the difference between "but instead of" and "but rather about"?

"But instead of" implies a substitution, whereas "but rather about" implies a clarification or a more precise focus. For example, "I didn't choose the car for its speed, "but rather about" its safety" clarifies the reason for the choice. "I chose the bike "but instead of" the car" denotes a direct replacement.

How does the formality of my writing affect the use of "but rather about"?

The phrase "but rather about" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "but fundamentally concerns" or "but principally involves" to enhance the sophistication of your language.