simply but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'simply but' is not correct in written English.
In English, we often use the phrase 'simply because' to indicate a causal relationship or to give a reason. Example: I stayed home instead of going out simply because I was feeling too tired.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

and a company called, simply, F8 LLC.

The New York Times

The uncombined Fe III) ion is simply Fe3+.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Riley wrote simply: "1+1 equals one".

The Guardian

(The new series is called simply "90210").

The New York Times - Arts

("Joy" 's chocolate-cake recipe yields simply "1 cake").

The New Yorker

On Tuesday, the top page said simply: "70 Days Left".

The New York Times

Simply 17...d5 immediately or perhaps 17...b6 and then 18...d5 both look better.

The Guardian - Sport

They are simply 1-by-6-inch untreated pine boards cut in whatever length she needs.

The New York Times

One semi-autobiographical piece is titled simply "48 Cherryfield Avenue," which Maxwell called "her imagination's home".

The New Yorker

or simply (9).

Advances in Difference Equations

The subordinate eigenvector of M 2 is simply [1, –1]′.

Genus

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "simply but" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "simply because" or restructuring the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Do not directly combine "simply" with "but" as it creates an ungrammatical construction. If you intend to express a reason, use "simply because". If you aim to contrast, use phrases like "and yet" or rephrase the sentence entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply but" is grammatically incorrect. As flagged by Ludwig AI, it violates standard English syntax. It doesn't serve a recognizable grammatical function because "simply" (an adverb) and "but" (a conjunction) don't combine in a meaningful way.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simply but" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it violates standard English syntax. Instead, consider using alternatives like "simply because" to express a reason or restructuring the sentence to use conjunctions such as "and yet" to show contrast. Due to its lack of grammatical correctness and natural usage, the phrase is not appropriate for any register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just but

Substitutes "simply" with "just", conveying a similar sense of ease or lack of complexity, but the phrase remains grammatically unsound.

merely but

Replaces "simply" with "merely", retaining the sense of limitation or qualification, but is still grammatically questionable.

only but

Replaces "simply" with "only", emphasizing exclusivity or restriction, yet it still doesn't make the expression correct.

easily but

Swaps "simply" with "easily", highlighting the ease or lack of difficulty, but the phrase remains grammatically incorrect.

plainly but

Substitutes "simply" with "plainly", emphasizing clarity and lack of ambiguity, but the phrase remains grammatically incorrect.

purely but

Replaces "simply" with "purely" to emphasize that something is exclusively of one type, but the phrase isn't grammatically sound.

simply because

Replaces "but" with "because", introducing a causal relationship where "simply" emphasizes the straightforwardness of the reason.

solely but

Substitutes "simply" with "solely" to indicate exclusivity, yet the phrase still does not result in a correct expression.

it's simply that

Transforms the structure to introduce an explanation, where "simply" clarifies the straightforward nature of the following statement.

simply and yet

Adds "and yet" to provide a clearer contrast, making the sentence grammatically acceptable but more verbose.

FAQs

Why is the phrase "simply but" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "simply but" doesn't follow standard English grammatical rules. "Simply" typically modifies a verb or adjective to indicate ease or straightforwardness, while "but" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast. These two words don't combine naturally in a grammatically sound way.

What can I use instead of "simply but" to express a reason?

If you intend to provide a straightforward reason, use the phrase "simply because". This construction correctly links a cause and effect in a clear and uncomplicated manner.

How can I rewrite a sentence to avoid using "simply but" when I want to show a contrast?

To effectively show contrast without using "simply but", consider restructuring your sentence to use conjunctions like "and yet" or "however". Alternatively, you can separate your ideas into two distinct sentences.

Is there a situation where "simply but" would be considered acceptable?

No, there is no standard context where "simply but" is considered grammatically acceptable in formal English. It is always advisable to use a correct alternative to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing.