does nothing but

USAGE SUMMARY

"does nothing but" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means "does only" and is used to suggest that an action is exclusive or the only kind of action that can be taken. Example sentence: She does nothing but complain all the time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The plot does nothing but thicken".

The New York Times - Books

Coca does nothing but bring fumigation".

The New York Times

A guy who does nothing but win.

The Guardian - Sport

Does nothing but keep compiler warning messages away.

Stanford University

Time does nothing but hand you down shabbier things.

The New Yorker

That does nothing but harden you," Saunders said.

Independent

But for the humanities, the Ref does nothing but harm.

The Guardian

His analysis does nothing but reinforce tired clichés.

The New York Times - Arts

(Which is saying something, since Remy does nothing but glower).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

#TweetLikeRichardDawkins As Time is relative, every watch & clock does nothing but LIE to us.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do nothing but score.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does nothing but" to emphasize the monotony or exclusivity of an action. This can add dramatic effect or highlight a character's limited behavior.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "does nothing but" in formal writing. While grammatically correct, excessive use can sound repetitive or informal. Opt for more varied and sophisticated phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does nothing but" functions as a conjunction phrase that limits or restricts the action described to a singular activity. It is used to emphasize the repetitive or exclusive nature of the action, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does nothing but" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the exclusivity or monotony of an action, often with a slightly negative tone. While common across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki, it's advisable to use it judiciously in more formal settings. When a change is needed, consider alternatives like "only does" or "merely performs" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only does

Focuses on the exclusivity of the action, omitting the negative connotation.

merely performs

Emphasizes the simplicity and limited nature of the action.

simply engages in

Highlights the straightforward nature of the activity, removing judgement.

just executes

Stresses the execution of a single action.

exclusively carries out

Indicates the action is the sole activity performed.

solely undertakes

Highlights the unique nature of the action.

is confined to

Shows how actions can be restrictet to a certain behaviour.

is limited to

Shows how actions can be restricted.

is restricted to

Shows how actions can be restrictet.

devotes entirely to

Indicates a full dedication to a specific task.

FAQs

How can I use "does nothing but" in a sentence?

Use "does nothing but" to emphasize that someone or something only performs a specific action. For example, "He "does nothing but" complain all day" indicates constant complaining.

What are some alternatives to "does nothing but"?

You can use alternatives such as "only does", "merely performs", or "simply engages in" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "do nothing but" instead of "does nothing but"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "does nothing but" with singular subjects (e.g., he, she, it) and "do nothing but" with plural subjects (e.g., they, we) or the pronoun "I" or "you".

What's the difference between "does nothing but" and "does everything but"?

"Does nothing but" indicates a singular, repetitive action, while "does everything but" suggests a wide range of actions except one specific action.