is not but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is not but' is not grammatically correct in written English.
The correct phrase is "is not, but." For example: "She is not lazy, but hardworking."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The storyline is a journalistic template—"Harry Reid is a bundle of contradictions" (what human being is not?)—but the anecdotes are engaging.

The Economist

Is your wife standing right next to you now? (Laughs) She is not, but she will probably read this.

Huffington Post

Indeed it is not, but the assertion is revealing.

The Economist

Actually, it is not, but it might as well be.

The New York Times - Sports

Red Burgundy it is not, but Rosé des Riceys is unmistakably pinot noir.

The New York Times - Food

A pristine facsimile it is not, but neither is it a cheap rush job.

The New York Times - Books

Lady Gaga is not, but I thought I'd mention her just to boost Google click-throughs.

The Guardian - Sport

Subtle this book is not, but neither were the ideologies that tore Spain apart.

The Guardian - Books

Logical perhaps he is not, but who can blame him for a little illogic?

The New York Times - Health

The Stowe House is not, but it is only a short stroll from the Twain House.

The New York Times

Sympathetic she is not, but there is a penetrating intelligence behind Wade's every line.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or grammatically correct writing, always insert a comma between "is not" and "but" to adhere to standard English sentence structure.

Common error

Avoid using "is not but" in formal writing. This phrasing lacks a necessary comma, which can affect clarity and grammatical correctness. Use "is not, but" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not but" functions as a conjunction attempting to link two contrasting elements. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect without a comma. The correct form, "is not, but", serves to introduce a contrasting idea or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

21%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not but" is commonly used to express a contrast or qualification. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect in written English without a comma. The corrected form "is not, but" is recommended for formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. While prevalent across various sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its informal nature means it should be used cautiously, especially in academic or professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "is not, however" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not, but

Adds a comma to correct the grammatical structure, making it standard English.

is not only, but also

Emphasizes that something possesses multiple qualities, not just one.

is not however

Replaces "but" with "however" to provide a more formal tone for contrast.

is not rather

Indicates a preference or correction, suggesting an alternative.

is not instead

Offers a direct replacement or alternative.

is not although

Introduces a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause.

is not even though

Similar to 'although', but often implies a stronger sense of surprise or unexpectedness.

is not yet

Indicates something is not currently true, but may be in the future.

is not so much

Downplays one aspect while highlighting another.

is not on the contrary

Introduces a statement that contradicts a previous one.

FAQs

What's the proper way to use "is not, but" in a sentence?

The correct usage is with a comma: "is not, but". For example, "The movie "is not scary", but it is suspenseful".

What can I say instead of "is not but" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, replace "is not but" with phrases like "is not, however", "is not, instead", or "is not, rather".

Is there a difference between "is not but" and "is not only but also"?

Yes. "Is not only but also" (with the necessary commas -> is not only, but also) is used to emphasize that something has multiple attributes. "Is not, but" simply introduces a contrasting attribute. For example: "The car "is not only fast but also safe"" versus "The car "is not new but reliable"".

When is it acceptable to use "is not but"?

While grammatically incorrect, "is not but" may appear in informal contexts or certain idiomatic expressions, although using the grammatically correct form "is not, but" is always preferable. Always consider your audience.