Expressing near totality or near completion.

To indicate that something is almost achieved, available, or true, while explicitly acknowledging an exception.

Describing outcomes where most items meet a condition (e.g., satisfaction, success) yet there remains at least one outlier.

Conversation, narrative description, formal writing, reports, presentations.

All but

All but

adjective (e.g., impossible, destroyed); verb-ing forms such as finished, completed can also serve this slot.

• all but certain
• all but guaranteed
• all but finished
• all but impossible

• nearly
• almost (when emphasizing near totality rather than literal exclusion)

Using "all but" to mean "everything except" when the intended nuance is simply "almost", which may lead to ambiguity about whether any exception remains.

Nothing short of X (emphasizing an extreme condition), contrasting with the more inclusive tone of "all but"

The phrase carries two distinct meanings: (1) literally excluding only one element, and (2) implying near completeness. Context must clarify which interpretation is intended; learners from languages without a direct equivalent should pay special attention.

• degree adverbs of near completion

Slightly more formal than plain adverbs like "nearly" or "almost"; often used in academic, professional, or literary registers to convey precision.

Adds subtle formality and can create dramatic emphasis by highlighting that something is almost achieved while acknowledging an exception.

all but + adjective

This chunk is used to express near totality or near completion, acknowledging an exception. It is slightly more formal than plain adverbs like 'nearly' or 'almost' and is often used in academic, professional, or literary registers to convey precision.

The ancient text was all but illegible.