but really that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but really that" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be used in informal contexts to emphasize a point or clarify a statement, but it lacks clarity and can be confusing. Example: "I thought I understood the situation, but really that was just my assumption."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But really, that is probably the point.

The New York Times

But, really, that isn't good enough.

The Guardian - Books

But really, that expectation belongs to other people.

The Guardian - Books

But really, that is like faulting Miss Middleton for blinking too much.

The New York Times

But really, that is the beauty and the challenge of being an N.F.L. official".

The New York Times - Sports

There were eight guests there, most of whom he knew to some degree, but really that was enough.

The New Yorker

"Chernobyl gave another shot in the arm to the field, but really that generation was not replaced," Buesseler told me.

The New Yorker

But really, that meant throwing the baby out with the bath water.

The New York Times - Magazine

" 'Man, you got more nerve than a brass-assed monkey.' " He's thinking of Zuzu, but, really, that was Danny Barker.

The New Yorker

But really that series is nothing without the special-effects work of a Pittsburgh native" — Greg Nicotero, a co-executive producer of "The Walking Dead".

The New York Times

I've heard the argument that the poor people should be allowed their simple pleasures, but really that is patronising and offensive claptrap.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "but really that" with more precise language to enhance clarity and conciseness in your writing. For example, use "however", "in reality", or "actually" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "but really that" in formal contexts like academic papers or business reports. It may come across as too informal or vague. Opt for stronger, more direct transitions and clarifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but really that" functions as a conjunctive phrase, introducing a contrast, clarification, or emphasis to a preceding statement. It signals a shift in perspective or highlights the actual state of affairs. As Ludwig AI points out, it might be considered informal in certain contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but really that" is a conjunctive phrase used to introduce a correction, clarification, or contrasting perspective. While common, particularly in News & Media, it's considered informal and may be replaced with more precise alternatives like "however", "in reality", or "actually", depending on the context to enhance clarity. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is acceptable but consider the audience and writing style when using "but really that", opting for stronger, more direct transitions in formal writing. Its frequency is high, with numerous examples in news and media sources, but its use should be carefully considered for more formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but in reality

Replaces "really" with "in reality" for a more formal tone and emphasizes the actual state of affairs.

but actually that

Substitutes "really" with "actually" providing a slightly more direct clarification.

but in fact that

Uses "in fact" instead of "really" to highlight the truth of a statement, lending a stronger emphasis.

but honestly that

Substitutes "really" with "honestly", which emphasizes the speaker's sincerity.

but indeed that

Replaces "really" with "indeed", adding a touch of formality and affirmation.

but truthfully that

Emphasizes the candid nature of the statement.

however, that's

Replaces the whole phrase with a more concise contrasting statement using "however".

yet, that's

Uses "yet" instead of "but" for a similar contrasting effect but with a slightly different nuance.

but fundamentally that

Highlights the importance or foundational nature of the statement.

but essentially that

Indicates that the statement captures the core or essence of the matter.

FAQs

What does "but really that" mean?

The phrase "but really that" is used to introduce a clarification, correction, or contrasting perspective on a previously mentioned point. It often serves to emphasize what is actually the case, as opposed to what might be assumed or misunderstood.

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

You can use "but really that" to signal a shift in perspective or to highlight a more accurate understanding of a situation. For example: "I thought the project was failing, "but really that" was just a temporary setback."

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

You can use alternatives like "in reality", "actually", or "in fact" to convey a similar meaning with potentially greater clarity, depending on the context.

Is "but really that" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "but really that" can be considered somewhat informal and vague. In more formal writing, it's advisable to choose more precise and sophisticated phrasing.