ALL BUT in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use All But

Have you ever heard the phrase “all but”? This expression is often used to convey the idea that something is almost or nearly the case, with only a small difference remaining.

In English, when we use the phrase “all but,” we are indicating that everything or everyone involved in a situation or group is included, except for one small thing or person. This versatile phrase can be employed in various contexts to emphasize that something is almost complete, finished, or true, but falls just short of being entirely so.

7 Examples Of All But Used In a Sentence For Kids

1. I ate all but one piece of chocolate.
2. The birds flew away, leaving all but one behind.
3. The teacher collected all but one paper from the students.
4. The clouds covered the sun, making it all but impossible to see.
5. The team scored all but one goal in the match.
6. The farmer harvested all but one apple from the tree.
7. The puzzle was complete, with all but one piece missing.

14 Sentences with All But Examples

1. All but one student in the class passed the final exam.
2. The deadline for the assignment is tomorrow, so all but a few students are still working on it.
3. All but a handful of students attended the guest lecture on campus.
4. The professor covered all but one chapter in the last lecture.
5. All but a couple of students chose to participate in the group project.
6. The library was packed during exam week, with all but a few seats occupied.
7. The college canteen was open late, serving food to all but a small group of students.
8. All but a few students were focused during the important presentation.
9. The sports complex was busy after classes, with all but a few students hitting the gym.
10. The club elections had all but one candidate running unopposed.
11. All but a few students were unaware of the upcoming cultural fest.
12. The university bookstore sold out of textbooks, leaving all but a few students scrambling to find a copy.
13. The career fair attracted all but a handful of students looking for internships.
14. The college festival had all but one food stall offering traditional dishes.

How To Use All But in Sentences?

All But is a phrase used to indicate the exclusion of a specific item or person from a larger group. In a sentence, All But is typically followed by the excluded item or person. For example, “I have all but finished my homework” means that everything is done except for completing the homework.

To correctly use All But, first identify the main action or group you are referring to. Then, think about what is excluded from that action or group. Insert All But before the excluded item to convey that everything or everyone is included except for that particular thing.

It’s important to note that All But can sometimes be confusing because it seems to suggest that nothing is included when, in fact, it means everything except for one particular thing. Understanding this distinction will help you use the phrase effectively in your writing and conversations.

Practice using All But in various sentences to get comfortable with its proper usage. Remember to pay attention to the context in which it is being used to ensure that you are conveying the intended meaning accurately. With time and practice, incorporating All But into your vocabulary will become more natural and help you clearly communicate exclusions in a concise manner.

Conclusion

In summary, sentences with “all but” are commonly used to convey the idea that everything or nearly everything is included or encompassed, except for one specific thing or aspect. This phrase is an effective way to emphasize the almost completeness of a situation or condition, making it clear that only a small, often significant, part is excluded. Whether used in a positive or negative context, “all but” can add depth and subtlety to a statement, highlighting the near-fullness of a situation while pointing out a notable exception.

By using “all but” in sentences, writers and speakers can succinctly communicate a sense of almost entirety combined with a crucial exclusion. This phrase serves to underscore the nearly complete nature of a scenario, leaving room for interpretation and creating a powerful impact on the reader or listener. Its versatility in expressing the concept of near-completeness while indicating an important distinction makes it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.