everything but

USAGE SUMMARY

"everything but" is a perfectly valid phrase in English that can be used in spoken and written contexts.
For example: "I've tried everything but she still won't listen to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're everything but me.

The New York Times

Everything but Horn & Hardart.

The New York Times - Books

Not everything, but Something.

The New York Times

"Everyone Virtualizes Everything But Time".

University of California, Berkeley

"It was everything but torn".

The New York Times - Sports

Answers nearly everything but why.

Independent

Death cancels everything but truth".

The New Yorker

Almost everything but the wind.

The New York Times

It was everything but football.

The New York Times - Sports

Messi did everything but score.

The Guardian - Sport

Everything but Irish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everything but" to create emphasis by highlighting the exception to a comprehensive statement. For example, "The report covered everything but the financial analysis, which will be submitted separately."

Common error

Avoid using "everything but" when the exclusion significantly alters the primary point. If the excluded item is crucial, consider reframing the sentence to emphasize what is included instead of what is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything but" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate an exception or exclusion from a comprehensive set. It highlights what is not included when almost all other elements are present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything but" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote an exception to an otherwise all-encompassing statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's commonly found in news, academic writing, and everyday conversation. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to ensure that the excluded element doesn't undermine the main point. Consider alternatives like "all except" for more formal contexts. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "everything but" to add clarity and emphasis to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all except

Focuses on the exclusion of specific items from a larger group.

everything excluding

Highlights the act of actively excluding something from a complete set.

everything apart from

Emphasizes the separation of one element from the rest.

all things considered except

Indicates a comprehensive view with a specific exception.

virtually everything but

Adds a sense of near-completeness with a minor exception.

almost everything with the exception of

Clearly states that nearly all is included, save for one item.

everything save for

A more formal way to indicate an exception to something.

everything with the exclusion of

Highlights the deliberate exclusion of a particular aspect.

everything less

A concise and direct way to express exclusion.

all-encompassing except

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of something while noting the exception.

FAQs

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

Use "everything but" to indicate that all aspects of something are included except for one specific element. For example, "I packed everything but my toothbrush."

What's a more formal alternative to "everything but"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "all except" or "everything excluding". These alternatives provide a similar meaning with a slightly elevated register.

Is it ever incorrect to use "everything but"?

While grammatically correct, using "everything but" might be misleading if the excluded item is central to the discussion. In such cases, rephrase to emphasize what is included rather than focusing on the exception.

What is the difference between "everything but" and "nothing but"?

"Everything but" implies a comprehensive inclusion with a single exception, while "nothing but" implies exclusive focus on a single item or aspect. They have opposite meanings.