everything but simple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything but simple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or concept that is complex or difficult, while explicitly stating that simplicity is not a characteristic of it. Example: "The project turned out to be everything but simple, with numerous unexpected challenges along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We are drained of everything but simple thoughts.

The New Yorker

On Thursday, he is expected to arrive at a low-security federal prison near Littleton, Colo., where inmates must give up everything but simple wedding bands and religious medallions, undergo a strip search, don khaki uniforms and prepare to work around the prison for as little as 12 cents an hour.

The New York Times

These latter interpretations, where pornography is concerned, will be everything but simple given the incredible complexity of the pornographic landscape with its huge catalogue of taboos, body types, sex acts, and other things that get people's blood flowing.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At that point, however, under the dual influence of the compromises so dear to this House and the environmentalist creed which takes off from confirmed observations into flights of utopian fancy, Mr Turmes report becomes a truly labyrinthine system, producing absolutely everything but the simple promotion of renewable energies.

EU Parlament

He added: "We wanted everything to feel premium, but simple.

The New York Times

As the great Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz said, "In war everything is simple, but even the simplest thing is difficult".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is a big job," he said, "but everything is simple if you have the right tools".

The New York Times

(Sandra: spouse) (I get easily confused, but) Everything is simple in music therapy group, that's what I like.

Aging and Mental Health

Everyone thinks just because the car's painted with Red Bull on the side, it's going to win everything, but it's not as simple as that.

BBC

Don't expect there to be complex reasons for everything, but don't automatically assume everything is simple.

WikiHow

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler," Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that, while grammatically correct, it could be slightly confusing for the readers.

Common error

Avoid using "everything but simple" when you simply want to state something is complex; the phrase implies an exception to an expected simplicity, which might not always be the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything but simple" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a subject possesses all characteristics except for simplicity. As shown by Ludwig, it typically describes situations or concepts that are unexpectedly intricate or complicated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything but simple" is a grammatically correct, albeit relatively uncommon, expression used to emphasize the absence of simplicity, often highlighting an ironic or unexpected complexity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Though "everything but simple" is technically usable, other phrases such as ""anything but simple"", "far from simple", or "not at all simple" may often be considered more idiomatic and clearer to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything but simple

Replaces "everything" with "anything", maintaining the core meaning with a slight shift in emphasis.

by no means simple

Reinforces the negation of simplicity, emphasizing the certainty of its absence.

far from simple

Emphasizes the distance from simplicity, rather than excluding it from all possibilities.

not at all simple

Directly negates the quality of being simple, stressing the absence of simplicity.

the opposite of simple

Directly states that the subject is contrary to being simple, creating a strong contrast.

decidedly complex

Shifts focus to the presence of complexity, rather than the absence of simplicity.

complex rather than simple

Explicitly contrasts complexity with simplicity, emphasizing the preference for the former.

remarkably intricate

Highlights the detailed and elaborate nature, suggesting a more positive connotation of complexity.

quite involved

Indicates that something requires considerable effort or attention, implying complexity.

pretty complicated

Uses more informal language to convey the idea of difficulty and lack of straightforwardness.

FAQs

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

Use "everything but simple" to describe a situation or concept that is complex or difficult, especially when simplicity might be expected. For example, "The solution to the problem proved to be "anything but simple"".

What's the difference between "everything but simple" and "far from simple"?

"Everything but simple" suggests that simplicity was entirely absent or unattainable, while "far from simple" indicates a significant deviation from simplicity, but not necessarily its complete absence.

What can I say instead of "everything but simple"?

You can use alternatives such as "not at all simple", "decidedly complex", or "remarkably intricate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "everything but simple" grammatically correct?

Yes, "everything but simple" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it might be considered slightly less common or idiomatic than alternatives like ""anything but simple"".