but that constituted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but that constituted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was a defining factor or element in a situation or argument. Example: "The decision to proceed without further consultation was risky, but that constituted a breach of trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last spring, it provided a $5 billion supplemental appropriation for the 2001 defense budget, but that constituted less than 2percentt of defense spending for the year and had hardly begun to be noticed before the war began.

The New York Times

But that constituted just a 1.2% rise from 2007; China will not achieve energy independence any time soon.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Workers in China do the final assembling of the Airbus A320, but that constitutes just 3percentto5percentcent of the plane's total value: The precision parts are made in Germany, many by small firms linked to the global production chain through the union's own efforts, Hahn said.

The Washington Post

Team officials said that they had investigated the allegations and found there was a consensual sexual relationship between Phillips and the woman, but nothing that constituted harassment.

The New York Times - Sports

Those inspections turned up a variety of missing or loose fasteners, but nothing that constituted a structural problem, the agency concluded.

The New York Times

The pious fiction of racial unity turned Japan and its colonies into an organic body called Asian community, rendering the colonized into not just colonial agents but organic parts that constituted one Asian communal body.

Johns Hopkins University

You know, there was what did we spend historically in previous years but then the components that constituted the budget were not available so sort of a very frustrating time.

BMC Health Services Research

"But he had no idea that constituted a violation of the law".

The New York Times

The neighboring shop was indeed adjacent to a Santa Muerte church, but I wasn't sure that constituted sketchiness.

Vice

The neighboring shop was indeed adjacent to a Santa Muerte church, but I wasn't sure that constituted sketchiness.

Vice

But did that constitute a deliberate deception, or did its analysts simply make an error of judgement?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but that constituted", ensure that "that" clearly refers to a specific, previously mentioned element or action to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "but that constituted" when a simpler term like "involved" or "included" would be more appropriate. "Constituted" implies a fundamental or defining component, so reserve it for situations where the element truly forms the core of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but that constituted" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking a previous statement with a contrasting or clarifying element. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is used to specify that something was a defining element.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but that constituted" is a conjunctive phrase used to provide clarification or emphasize a defining component of a situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly used in neutral contexts. Its primary function is to clarify the nature of a situation by highlighting a key element. Although its usage is not very common, as shown by the limited number of examples in Ludwig, its inclusion in reputable sources like The New York Times and academic publications confirms its validity and appropriateness for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but that amounted to

Emphasizes the final result or total effect of something, differing in focus from constituting the initial components.

but that represented

Highlights the symbolic or indicative nature of something, changing the aspect from composition to representation.

but that comprised

Focuses on the elements included in something, rather than its fundamental nature.

but that formed

Stresses the act of creation or development, shifting the emphasis from current composition to the process of formation.

but that involved

Highlights the elements that were part of it, altering the perspective from composition to inclusion.

but that embodied

Focuses on the physical or concrete representation of something, changing the meaning from composition to embodiment.

but that encompassed

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness or scope of something, shifting the perspective from constitution to inclusion.

but that equaled

Stresses the quantitative equivalence, differing in the stress of what are the parts of something and more on their equal value.

but that was considered

Highlights the perception or judgment of something, diverging from the intrinsic nature to subjective evaluation.

but that signified

Focuses on the meaning or indication conveyed by something, moving away from composition to semantic representation.

FAQs

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

Use "but that constituted" to indicate that something was a key component or element of a particular situation or outcome. For instance, "The decision was risky, but that constituted a breach of trust."

What phrases can I use instead of "but that constituted"?

You can use alternatives like "but that amounted to", "but that represented", or "but that comprised", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "but that constituted" or "but this constituted"?

The choice between "but that constituted" and "but this constituted" depends on whether you are referring to something previously mentioned ("that") or something you are about to explain or emphasize ("this").

What's the difference between "but that constituted" and "but that involved"?

"But that constituted" implies a core or fundamental component, while "but that involved" ("but that involved") suggests inclusion without necessarily being essential. Choose based on whether the element is defining or merely included.