but who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but who" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in interrogative sentences and is used to introduce a question or doubt about a previous statement. Example: "The suspect claims to have an alibi, but who can verify his whereabouts at the time of the crime?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But who? "But who?

The New York Times - Sports

"But who? "But who? "But who?

The New York Times - Arts

But who?

The New York Times

"But who is Zakaria?

The New York Times

But who cared?

The New York Times - Arts

But who then?

The Economist

But who notices?

The Economist

But who will invest?

The Economist

But who is she?

The New York Times - Arts

But who is listening?

Independent

But who would officiate?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but who" to introduce a counterpoint or challenge a previous assumption by questioning the actor or agent involved. It's effective for creating intrigue or expressing skepticism.

Common error

Avoid starting sentences directly with "But who?" without a preceding statement or context. The phrase works best as a continuation or challenge to something already mentioned, not as an isolated question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but who" functions as a conjunctive interrogative. It connects a preceding statement with a question, often expressing doubt, skepticism, or a challenge regarding the identity or involvement of someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but who" is a grammatically correct conjunctive interrogative, frequently used to introduce a question that challenges a preceding statement. It implies doubt, skepticism, or a need for clarification regarding the person or agent involved. Ludwig AI confirms this, and examples demonstrate its common usage across news, media, arts, and business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it's most effectively used to create intrigue or express skepticism in response to a prior claim. When using "but who", ensure it follows a relevant statement and avoids being used as an isolated question to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet who

Replaces "but" with "yet", maintaining the contrasting interrogative tone.

though who

Substitutes "but" with "though", emphasizing a sense of concession before questioning.

however who

Uses "however" instead of "but" to present a stronger contrast before posing the question.

then who

Focuses on the consequence or next step in questioning, using "then" to transition.

if not who

Expresses a condition or alternative before inquiring about the person involved.

so who

Implies a sense of inevitability or resignation before asking the question.

who else

Shifts the focus to identifying other possible individuals.

but which person

Specifies the type of inquiry, focusing on identifying a specific individual.

who though

Inverts the phrase for emphasis, highlighting the question of identity.

on the other hand who

Introduces a contrasting perspective before posing the question of identity.

FAQs

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

Use "but who" to introduce a question that challenges a preceding statement, typically focusing on the identity or involvement of a person. For example, "They claim to have found a solution, but who will implement it?"

What phrases are similar to "but who"?

Alternatives to "but who" include "yet who", "though who", or "however who", each adding a slightly different nuance to the contrast and question.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but who"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence directly with "But who?" is less effective. It's best used as a continuation or challenge to a previous statement for clearer context and impact.

What's the difference between "but who" and "who"?

"Who" directly asks for someone's identity, while "but who" introduces a question of identity or agency after presenting a contrasting idea or situation, implying a challenge or skepticism.