all but

IPA/ˈɔːl bˌʌt/
IPA/ˈɔːl bˌʌt/

all but — 慣用語

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

除…外都

排除某人某物後的其餘全部

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.

舞蹈隊除了兩名成員之外，其他人都準時到達排練場。

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

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

那棟公寓大樓幾乎全空了——除了頂樓唯一亮著燈的那一戶。

常見搭配
  • all but one
  • all but a few
  • all but the most [adjective]
  • all but [number]
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

幾乎

非常接近某種狀態，近乎完全

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.

連續下了三天大雨之後，戶外婚禮的計劃幾乎全毀了。

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.

那條街上掛燈籠的古老習俗，近年來幾乎已經消失。

常見搭配
  • all but finished
  • all but disappeared
  • all but ruined
  • all but impossible
  • all but forgotten
  • all but certain
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.