The phrase ‘all but confirmed’ is commonly used in English to mean something that is nearly confirmed, but not completely. The word ‘but’ here does not mean ‘except for,’ as it might in other contexts. Instead, it means ‘almost’ or ‘practically.’ This is why the phrase can be translated as ‘ほぼ確認された’ or ‘almost confirmed.’ In other words, everything except for the final confirmation has already been established, implying that the confirmation is highly likely but still pending. The use of ‘all but’ in this context expresses a high degree of certainty, but without an absolute guarantee.
Understanding the Structure of ‘All but’
In English, ‘all but’ is often used to express a situation that is nearly complete or nearly true, but with a small element still uncertain. This is why ‘all but confirmed’ translates to ‘ほぼ確認された’ (almost confirmed). The phrase suggests that everything has been verified, except for the final step, making it very likely that the confirmation will happen, but not yet official.
Examples of ‘All but’ in Other Contexts
Here are some more examples of how ‘all but’ is used in English:
- He is all but certain to win the competition. (He is almost certain to win.)
- The house is all but sold. (The house is almost sold, but not finalized.)
- Her resignation is all but official. (Her resignation is nearly official, but not completely.)
Why ‘All but’ and Not ‘Except for’?
The reason ‘all but’ works here instead of ‘except for’ is because ‘except for’ typically refers to an exclusion, not something close to completion. ‘All but’ implies that the situation is nearly done, but not quite finished, which is why it fits perfectly with ‘confirmed.’ If you say ‘except for confirmed,’ it would suggest that everything but the confirmation is excluded, which is a different meaning.
Conclusion
In summary, ‘all but confirmed’ means that something is nearly confirmed, with only the final piece of confirmation left to be made official. This structure is used to convey a sense of high certainty, though not complete certainty. Understanding how ‘all but’ works in English helps to grasp the subtle differences between being almost certain and fully confirmed.
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