but rather what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but rather what" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when contrasting two ideas, but it typically requires additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "I don't want to focus on the problem, but rather what solutions we can implement."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is not the minutiae that fascinates, but rather what taxes are all about.

The New York Times

You don't want a purée but rather what used to be called chopped meat.

The New York Times - Food

The paper isn't a prescription for what should be done but rather what could be done.

The New York Times

"It's not the money," he said, but rather what he considers excessive auditing over insignificant sums.

The New York Times

"It's not a traditional lease agreement but rather what you'd call a strategic partnersip".

The New York Times

It's not what something is really like, but rather what the reader thinks it's like.

The New York Times

The most controversial aspect is not what the document contains, but rather what is missing.

The Guardian

By that I don't mean what policy-makers will do, but rather what will ordinary people do?

Independent

His broadside was not against making money but, rather, what he described as an all-encompassing climate of overweening greed.

The New York Times

However, in the end, he wrote, "this is not a test of what people say but rather what they do.

The New York Times

However, it is not merely "more college" that is the answer, but rather what actually happens there that is important.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but rather what", ensure a clear contrast between the initial statement and the alternative being presented. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but rather what" in sentences where a simpler conjunction like "but" or "instead" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose and convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rather what" functions as a conjunction, introducing a contrasting or alternative element to a preceding statement. It serves to negate or correct an initial assumption, leading the reader towards a more accurate or nuanced understanding. Ludwig shows multiple examples where this phrase is used to shift focus from one aspect to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but rather what" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element or correction to a preceding statement. While generally acceptable, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid overuse. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts and a substantial amount of examples show that it is important to use this phrase to redirect the reader's attention or clarify a specific intention. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "but instead what" or rephrasing with "but" for conciseness. The phrase's prevalence and consistent usage across various sources suggest that it remains a useful, albeit sometimes verbose, tool in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but instead what

Replaces "rather" with "instead", offering a slightly more direct alternative.

but what instead

Shifts the emphasis by placing "what" after "instead".

but instead of what

Emphasizes the replacement aspect more strongly.

however, what

Uses "however" to introduce a contrasting element.

yet what

Offers a concise alternative using "yet".

but specifically what

Adds emphasis on the specific alternative.

but more precisely what

Replaces "rather" with "more precisely", enhancing clarity.

but in particular what

Highlights the particular aspect of the alternative.

but chiefly what

Stresses the primary or main alternative.

but fundamentally what

Emphasizes the basic or essential alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "but rather what" in a sentence?

Use "but rather what" to introduce an alternative to a previously stated idea or concept. For example, "The question is not whether we can do it, "but rather what" the consequences will be."

What phrases are similar to "but rather what"?

Alternatives include "but instead what", "but what instead", or simply using "but" followed by a rephrased clause.

Is it better to use "but rather what" or "but what"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "but rather what" often provides a clearer contrast. However, "but what" can be more concise in certain contexts. The best choice depends on the specific sentence structure and desired emphasis.

Can I replace "but rather what" with a single word?

In some cases, you can replace "but rather what" with "instead" or "however" to simplify the sentence, depending on the context and the point you're trying to make.