all but

IPA/ˈɔːl bˌʌt/
IPA/ˈɔːl bˌʌt/

all but — idiom

1. used to say that every person or thing in a group is included, except for the on

1.慣用語B1
釋義

used to say that every person or thing in a group is included, except for the one or ones mentioned — the person or thing left out comes immediately after the phrase.

例句

All but two members of the dance team arrived on time for rehearsal.

position: all but + [number] + [noun]

The apartment building was empty — all but a single light on the top floor.

同義詞
  • except

    shorter and more neutral; 'all but' adds emphasis on the completeness of the inclusion

  • apart from

    similar in meaning; slightly less formal and can sound more conversational

  • other than

    good alternative, especially in negative or contrastive contexts

反義詞
  • including

    opposite direction — names what is added rather than what is left out

文法句型

all but + [noun phrase being excluded]

用法筆記

Unlike the contrasting ALMOST sense, this sense treats 'all but' as a phrase that precedes the person or thing left out. The word or phrase after 'all but' is the exception; everything else in the group is included.

常見錯誤

❌All but of the students passed the test.
✅All but three of the students passed the test.
💡'all but' must be followed by the specific person, number, or thing being left out.
❌All but I finished the work.
✅All but me finished the work.
💡use object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) after 'all but', not subject pronouns.

2. used before a verb or adjective to mean 'very nearly' or 'almost completely,' de

2.慣用語B2
釋義

used before a verb or adjective to mean 'very nearly' or 'almost completely,' describing a situation that is extremely close to a particular state or result without being fully there.

例句

After three days of heavy rain, the outdoor wedding plans were all but ruined.

common pattern: all but + past participle (ruined, finished, forgotten)

The old custom of hanging lanterns on that street has all but disappeared in recent years.

同義詞
  • almost

    directly interchangeable; 'almost' is simpler and works in all registers

  • nearly

    very close in meaning; 'nearly' pairs naturally with numbers and measurements

  • virtually

    similar, but slightly more formal and often used with abstract nouns

  • practically

    common in everyday speech; can also mean 'in practical terms'

反義詞
  • far from

    opposite meaning — 'far from finished' means not close to being done

  • not at all

    emphasises that something is completely not the case

文法句型

all but + [past participle]

all but + [verb of change]

用法筆記

Distinguish from the EXCEPT sense: here 'all but' modifies the verb or adjective that follows, not a noun. It typically combines with past participles (all but finished, all but forgotten) or verbs describing a change of state (disappear, vanish, collapse, give up). Common in written and formal English for dramatic effect.

常見錯誤

❌The project all but.
✅The project is all but finished.
💡'all but' in the ALMOST sense must be followed by a verb, adjective, or past participle. It cannot end a sentence.
❌He all but finished, but not quite.' (awkward)
✅He had all but finished when the power went out.
💡the meaning 'almost' flows most naturally with a past perfect or passive structure that shows the near-completion.