"All but only"

[cmorris32]

Hi PowerScore,

I am reviewing my notes before the August test, which I am taking this Sunday, and I wanted to clarify what the phrase "all but only" means. I have in my notes that it means "exactly" and I was wondering if someone could just further explain how this phrase means "exactly?"

Thank you in advance!
- Caroline

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Caroline,

Thanks for the question. Three things here are relevant:

• First, this exact phrase has never appeared on the LSAT. So, you are unlikely to see it on test day
  
  Second, if you did see, it, I'd wager it would appear as "all but only if," which would then produce a bi-conditional, or double-arrow relationship: .
  
  Last, the exact phrase, if used would likely appear inside a broader statement, such as "All of us went to State but only Phillip did not." That would mean everyone being referred to except Phillip (or exactly Phillip) went to State. But you can see how convoluted that sounds, hence it's not a phrase they've wanted to use or are likely to use.

Thanks!

[cmorris32]

Thank you Dave! I wasn’t sure where it came from but I had it written down so I wanted to double check. Many thanks for your awesome explanations!