is naught but

USAGE SUMMARY

"is naught but" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something is nothing other than that which is being referenced. Example sentence: "His work with the charity is naught but admirable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A satirical poem offered: "It clearly is naught but a lunatic line".

The Guardian

It could be that the de-Communization of Eastern Europe is naught but a Soviet ploy to lull the West into ill-defended complacency.

The New York Times

"One who previously engaged in jihad knows that it is naught but violence, crudeness, terrorism, [deterrence] and massacring," Naji writes, as translated by McCants.

The Guardian

Lepore's message is clear: we shouldn't be deceived by Franklin's writing as Poor Richard, which is "naught but pretense," but see through it to the man pulling the strings––or setting the type, as it were.

The New Yorker

It featured a wizened old man warning a naïve young traveler "that all our actions and decisions are merely the machinations of a predetermined universe and that our concept of 'free will' is naught but a comforting illusion".

The New Yorker

Crime is naught but misdirected energy.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Poor Richard was naught but pretense.

The New Yorker

But after midwinter it will be naught but deer-stalking/basketball, which I find a bit of a trial.

The New Yorker

In this telling, all Iraq's ills -- from its faltering electricity to its decaying hospitals and schools, things already common under Mr. Hussein -- are the fault of the Americans and of their allies, the Shiites and Kurds who are the country's transitional leaders, and the democratic rights of which the Americans speak are naught but a sham.

The New York Times

"Today, now that the great storm has long since smashed it, we finally know that that world of security was naught but a castle of dreams". By far the most effective and striking part of Zweig's fictional oeuvre is precisely to do with this disappearance of the old world and its cultural values, and with the war that destroyed them.

The Guardian - Books

Now I stood in the foyer of 790, behind the heavy entrance doors, uncomfortable because I could be naught but a stranger to the bearded Jews chanting in the next room with a passionate, melodic, electric hum that I recognized.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and simplicity, consider replacing "is naught but" with more common alternatives like "is only" or "is simply" to avoid confusing modern readers.

Common error

Avoid using "is naught but" excessively in contemporary writing, as it can make your text sound unnatural or pretentious. Reserve it for situations where a touch of old-fashioned formality is desired, and opt for simpler alternatives in other cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is naught but" functions as a copular verb construction, asserting equivalence or identity between two elements. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to emphasize that something is nothing more than the stated attribute or condition. Examples show its role in defining the essence of a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

HuffPost

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is naught but" serves as a formal way to emphasize that something is essentially a single thing. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively uncommon in modern English. Primarily found in News & Media and academic contexts, this phrase adds a touch of formality, but should be used judiciously to avoid sounding archaic. Consider simpler alternatives like "is only" or "is merely" for increased clarity in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is merely

Focuses on the simplicity or lack of significance of something.

is simply

Emphasizes the straightforward nature or essence of something.

is only

Highlights the exclusivity or limitation of something.

amounts to

Indicates the ultimate result or total effect of something.

is no more than

Stresses the limited nature or scope of something.

is purely

Emphasizes the unmixed or unadulterated nature of something.

consists solely of

Highlights that the phrase consists only of this expression or fact.

is exclusively

Highlights that the phrase happens with exclusivity of expression or fact.

is uniquely

Highlights that the phrase happens only in this case or with these conditions.

is nothing other than

This alternative places emphasis on a single attribute or kind.

FAQs

What does the phrase "is naught but" mean?

The phrase "is naught but" means that something is nothing more than or only a specific thing. It emphasizes the singular nature or essence of something.

How can I use "is naught but" in a sentence?

You can use "is naught but" to describe something that is essentially or fundamentally a single thing. For example, "His excuse "is naught but" a lie."

Are there more common alternatives to "is naught but"?

Yes, more common alternatives include "is only", "is simply", or "is merely". These alternatives convey a similar meaning in a more modern tone.

When is it appropriate to use "is naught but"?

It is appropriate to use "is naught but" when you want to add a formal or slightly archaic tone to your writing. However, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural, so use it sparingly.