Cool MateBut to all vs Nevertheless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But to all
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Nevertheless
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Nevertheless
| But to all | Nevertheless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bʌt tə ɔːl//🇺🇸 //bʌt tu ɔl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌnevəðəˈles/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌnevərðəˈles/"]/ |
| Meaning | An expression used to introduce a contradiction or contrast. | In spite of that; however. |
| Example | But to all who doubted, we proved them wrong. | There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | but to all who, but to all people, but to all friends | nevertheless, she persisted, nevertheless, it remains, nevertheless, we continue |
| Antonyms | - | therefore, consequently |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly as a conjunction instead of an expression., Confused with similar phrases like 'but for all'. | Used interchangeably with 'however' without understanding context differences., Omitted or misused in informal speech., Confused with 'nonetheless'. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize a contrasting idea; suitable for formal writing but also common in conversations. | Often used to introduce a contrasting statement or to show that something is true despite what has just been said. It's more common in written English, and may seem too formal in casual spoken contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: But to all vs Nevertheless
What's the difference between But to all and Nevertheless?
But to all: An expression used to introduce a contradiction or contrast. Nevertheless: In spite of that; however.
Which is more common: But to all and Nevertheless?
Nevertheless is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
But to all: But to all who doubted, we proved them wrong. Nevertheless: There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try.
Can I use But to all and Nevertheless interchangeably?
Not always. But to all and Nevertheless are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.