All but means either almost or all except. Before an adjective or a participle, it's almost: all but certain, the path has all but disappeared. Before a number or a group, it's all except: all but three guests arrived on time. It sounds slightly formal; in conversation, almost is more common.
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all but + adjective / all but + number / have all but + past participle
- The old footpath has all but disappeared.
- All but three guests arrived before seven.
- The final date is all but certain.
What changed
First versionAll but three of the guests was already seated.
RevisionAll but three of the guests were already seated.
All but feels like one word, all, so a singular verb seems fine. But the subject is the guests, so the verb must be plural: all but three of the guests were seated. Three are left out, and the rest are already sitting.
Anything but certain means not certain at all; all but certain means almost certain. They sound alike but mean nearly opposite things. Nothing but problems means only problems, with no almost about it.
Your turn
Thirty people were invited. All but three attended. How many attended?
Show the answer
27 — All but three removes three people from thirty, so 27 attended. The answer 3 confuses the ones left out with the ones who came.
Describe a repair or project that is almost finished, and say what's left. Use all but.
The repairs are all but complete; only the kitchen door still needs painting.
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