everything but one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything but one" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that everything except for one thing is included or accounted for. Example: "The yard sale was a success. We sold everything but one book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The summits came to be notorious for the heads disagreeing in private and in public on everything but one fact: Greece had lied about its finances and was therefore to blame for its own troubles, and subsequently everyone else's.

The Guardian - Opinion

The all-Democratic mayor and council were up for re-election this year, and on Election Day the incumbents held onto everything but one council seat.

The New York Times

What a scientific experiment does, then, is strip away everything but one mechanism at one emergent level of reality.

The Guardian

In his recent book Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton sought to apply it to almost everything, but one area where it seems to work very well is in the market for country cottages or exotic holidays.

The Guardian - Travel

So far it's been a two-horse race between Nero and Chase And Status but Neon could be a late contender as it comes with the catch-all opening lyric "right here, right now, we've got everything but one light out".

The Guardian - Music

From the standpoint of an evidential requirement, one cannot believe everything, but one can assume everything, that is, one can assume any objective and one can represent any objectum.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They have grown up in a culture of negotiation where no one gets everything but no one leaves with nothing.

The New York Times

We have always been a "say yes to everything company," but one way to get our service back on track has been to focus on improving the quality now, enhancing our workflow and returning to growth later.

Forbes

One cannot tell much more of the story without giving everything away, but one of the things that Mr. Stone has done is to construct a screenplay that can be taken two ways with equal grace.

The New York Times

And an ice sheet is an easy place in which to get lost – not only is everything white but one iceberg can also look deceptively like another when you're distracted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Writers by nature have a compulsion to tell everything, but no one knows what really goes on behind another's door.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "everything but one", ensure the context clearly defines the 'everything' being referred to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I packed everything but one shirt" is clearer if it's understood you're packing for a trip.

Common error

Avoid using "everything but one" when the 'everything' is not clearly defined or understood by the reader. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Instead, specify the encompassing set or category before making the exclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything but one" functions as a modifier, specifying that all items or aspects are included except for a single, noted exception. This serves to limit or qualify a statement. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "everything but one" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that all items or aspects are included except for a single exception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English and is seen across various contexts. The analysis reveals that it functions as a modifier, serves to highlight a specific exclusion within a broader inclusion, and maintains a neutral register applicable in news, science, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, be sure that the scope of "everything" is clearly defined to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all except one

Uses "all" to emphasize the entirety from which one item is excluded.

almost everything but one

Uses "almost" to soften the exclusion, implying a minor exception.

everything excluding one

Replaces "but" with "excluding" for a more formal tone.

everything else but one

Highlights that everything 'else' besides one item is included.

virtually everything except one

Emphasizes the near-completeness of the inclusion with "virtually".

all but a single

Replaces 'one' with 'a single' to highlight the singularity of the exception.

all things considered except one

Adds "all things considered" for a broader perspective before the exception.

everything with one exception

States the exclusion as a formal 'exception'.

all items save one

Employs 'save' for a slightly archaic or formal tone.

every element but one

Uses 'element' to specify the type of thing excluded, often used in technical contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "everything but one" to indicate that all items or aspects are included except for a single exception. For instance, "I enjoyed everything about the trip but "one aspect"".

What phrases are similar to "everything but one"?

Similar phrases include "all except one", "almost everything", or "virtually everything except one". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning while offering slight variations in emphasis or formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "everything but one"?

Yes, "everything but one" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express the inclusion of all items except for a single, specified exclusion.

How does "everything but one" differ from "nothing but one"?

"Everything but one" means that all items are included except for one, while "nothing but one" implies that only one item exists or is relevant. They convey opposite meanings.