will but not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will but not" is not correct in written English.
It does not make sense because the words "will" and "but not" contradict each other. An example of correct usage would be: "I wanted to go, but not out of obligation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I will, but not yet".

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe it will, but not so far.

The New York Times

Some will, but not yet, and not to you.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will, but not in the sense of changing day-to-day life or politics.

The Economist

They should be intelligent, he made clear in his will, but not "mere bookworms".

The Economist

For those that want to see it that way it will, but not for me.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Helm's bitterness is manufactured, too, and sometimes unproductive: a shaggy dog story about an encounter with a stranger while out Christmas shopping boasts ill-will, but not much else.

The Guardian

Time will tell, but not this book.

The Economist

After all, the Russian government is interventionist -- "globalist," if you will -- but not in a way supported by Kasparov and other Russian liberals.

Huffington Post

So we'll wait, but not forever".

The New York Times

Willing - but not excited.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "will but not" in formal writing. It is grammatically awkward and can be easily replaced with clearer, more standard expressions such as "will not" or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to create contradictory statements. Using "will" and "but not" together often leads to confusion. Instead, use "will not" or rephrase to express the intended contrast more logically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will but not" attempts to express a contrast or limitation regarding a future action or state. However, it is grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI indicates this is not a standard usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will but not" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase creates a contradictory statement, and better alternatives, such as using "will not" or rephrasing the sentence, are available to express the intended contrast. While the phrase may appear in some news and media contexts, it's best to avoid it in favor of clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will however not

Replaces "but" with "however" to provide a slightly more formal tone while still indicating a contrast.

will never

Emphasizes a complete absence of the action or state, indicating a stronger negation than "but not".

will not ever

Adds "ever" for emphasis, strengthening the negation and conveying a sense of finality.

will under no circumstances

Introduces a more formal and emphatic denial or refusal, suitable for serious contexts.

will certainly not

Emphasizes the certainty of the negation, making the statement stronger and more assertive.

intend but cannot

Shifts the focus to intention versus capability, highlighting a desire that is thwarted by limitations.

wish but unable to

Similar to "intend but cannot", this phrase emphasizes a desire that is impossible to fulfill due to constraints.

desire but lack

Highlights the difference between wanting something and not having the necessary resources or qualities to obtain it.

willing but unable

Focuses on a readiness or eagerness that is hindered by a lack of ability or opportunity.

might not

Conveys possibility, rather than certainty, that something may not happen.

FAQs

How can I properly use a contrasting statement instead of "will but not"?

Use phrases like "will not" to negate a future action or rephrase to clarify the contrast, such as "I will go, but not today."

What's a more formal way to express a contrast when describing future actions?

Consider using "will however not" or "will, but under certain conditions not" to introduce a contrast with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is "will but not" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "will but not" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English due to the contradictory nature of combining "will" (expressing intention) with "but not" (indicating negation).

How can I avoid using "will but not" and still convey a similar meaning?

Reframe the sentence to use a direct negation with "will not" or use alternative conjunctions to express contrast, such as "however" or "although."