but unlike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but unlike" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two things or people that have a particular characteristic in common but one has a different outcome than the other. For example: "The two cars looked similar, but unlike the first one, the second one had brand new tires."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, unlike the Internet, it can deliver.

The Economist

But, unlike the others, Gee never did.

The New York Times - Sports

But unlike hemophilia, it rights itself.

The New York Times

But unlike me, they are American citizens.

The New York Times

But unlike Ebola, chikungunya is mosquito borne.

The Economist

But unlike radicchio, escarole is inexpensive.

The New York Times

But, unlike sculpture, theatre needs a story.

Independent

"Thundering, but unlike thunder.

The New York Times

But unlike simulations, they provide real data.

Computers & Education

But unlike me, she's "sessional".

The Guardian - Opinion

But, unlike in 1955, it's not close.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but unlike", ensure the elements you are comparing share a common characteristic to make the contrast meaningful. For example, "Both cars are red, but unlike the sedan, the sports car has a spoiler."

Common error

Avoid using "but unlike" if there isn't a clear, shared attribute between the subjects being compared. For example, avoid saying "I like cats, but unlike dogs, they are independent" because dogs and cats are separate categories and not directly comparable in the context of personal preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but unlike" functions as a contrastive conjunction, connecting two clauses while emphasizing a difference between two similar subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and aims to highlight distinctions, similar to 'however' but with a specific focus on dissimilarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

35%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but unlike" is a frequently used and grammatically sound conjunction phrase that contrasts similar subjects. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, while Ludwig examples show that it is especially common in news, academic writing, and scientific articles. To ensure clarity, always compare elements with a shared attribute, and consider using alternative phrasing such as "however in contrast to" for a stronger emphasis on contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlike in that

Focuses specifically on the differing aspect or feature.

however in contrast to

Emphasizes the contrasting aspect more directly.

yet differently from

Highlights the difference after an initial similarity.

although not the same

Acknowledges a similarity before emphasizing the difference.

conversely, not the same as

Introduces a statement that reverses the previous one, pointing out a dissimilarity.

by contrast, distinct from

Stresses the distinction between two entities or situations.

even though different from

Similar to the previous one, it shows awareness of a shared trait before diverging.

on the other hand, differing from

Presents an alternative perspective, showing how something varies.

whereas, not alike

Directly contrasts two things, indicating they are not similar.

in opposition to, disparate from

Highlights the opposition and lack of similarity between two subjects.

FAQs

How can I use "but unlike" in a sentence?

Use "but unlike" to highlight a difference between two things that share a similarity. For instance, "Both fruits are sweet, but unlike apples, oranges are citrus fruits."

What phrases are similar to "but unlike"?

You can use phrases such as "however in contrast to", "yet differently from", or "conversely, not the same as".

Is it always necessary to include "but" before "unlike"?

While "unlike" can be used alone to show contrast, including "but" often provides a smoother transition and emphasizes the contrast more directly. It depends on the sentence structure and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "but unlike" and "however"?

"But unlike" specifically points out a difference between similar items, while "however" introduces a contrast or a change in direction of thought more broadly. "This phone is expensive, but unlike others, it's waterproof" versus "This phone is expensive; however, it has many advanced features".