but really for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but really for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify the true purpose or intention behind something, often in a conversational or informal context. Example: "I thought the meeting was about budget cuts, but really for discussing new project ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But really, for now, none of that need matter.

Independent

"These films are child-appropriate but really for all ages".

The New York Times - Arts

"They talk about soccer moms, but, really, for Clinton and Gore, it's single moms," Mr. Kohut said.

The New York Times

And Facebook is becoming the default way to do that, not only in the States but really for the whole world".

The New York Times - Tech

"For games, but really for anything you buy today, you need to be able to take it out of the box and play it," said John Frascotti, Hasbro's chief marketing officer.

The New York Times

DeHaan played a troubled high-school loner always searching — for information about his biological father, but really for some insight into masculinity and fate and genetics and the answers to all of life's big questions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But, really, hurrah for the prize.

The Guardian - Books

"But, really, thanks for your input".

The New York Times - Magazine

But really, $70 for a piece of wood?

TechCrunch

But not really for Brazilian television.

The New York Times

"Well," Huffington said, "it's getting better for Wall Street but not really for Main Street".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but really for" to introduce a more accurate or insightful reason after an initial, potentially misleading, statement. For example, "I thought he was angry, but really for concerned about my well-being."

Common error

Avoid using "but really for" simply to express agreement. It's more appropriate to introduce an alternative, deeper reason or motivation, and not for trivial assertions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but really for" functions as a conjunction introducing a clarification or a deeper reason behind a statement. It serves to correct or refine an initial impression, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but really for" is a common conjunction used to introduce a clarification or deeper reason, correcting an initial assumption or impression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples illustrating its usage across various contexts, including news, media, and academia. While versatile, remember that the phrase is best used to present an alternative or more accurate reasoning, and should be avoided in overly formal or technical writing where alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but actually for

Replaces 'really' with 'actually', emphasizing the true purpose.

but in reality for

Adds 'in reality' for stronger contrast and emphasis.

but truly for

Replaces 'really' with 'truly' for increased sincerity.

but genuinely for

Substitutes 'really' with 'genuinely', highlighting authenticity.

but essentially for

Uses 'essentially' to indicate the core reason or purpose.

but fundamentally for

Replaces 'really' with 'fundamentally' to denote the basic purpose.

but strictly speaking for

Adds a qualifier to indicate a more precise explanation.

but at heart for

Implies the underlying or core intention.

but more precisely for

Highlights the need for a more accurate explanation.

but when it comes down to it for

Adds an idiom to indicate ultimate or crucial purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "but really for" in a sentence?

Use "but really for" to introduce a more accurate or insightful reason after an initial statement. For example, "I thought she was upset about the delay, but really for "relieved to" have more time to prepare".

What can I say instead of "but really for"?

You can use alternatives like "but actually for", "but in reality for", or "but essentially for" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "but really for"?

It's appropriate to use "but really for" when you want to clarify the true purpose or intention behind something, often after a potentially misleading initial interpretation. It's best used in conversational or informal contexts.

Is there a more formal alternative to "but really for"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "however in actuality" or "nevertheless in essence" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.