Choosing 'but some people claim' for a cleaner contrast in writing

Outline in brief

• Why tiny word choices matter in clear writing

• A quick look at a common redundancy: “but yet” versus “but”

• The simplest revision that keeps the meaning and improves flow

• How to spot and fix similar issues in everyday writing

• Practical tips you can apply right away (without turning every sentence into a grammar lecture)

• A small, useful exercise you can try

Let’s start with a small, almost innocent-seeming pair of words: but and yet. They’re both handy. They’re both useful for signaling a shift, a twist, or a contrast. But when they tag along together in one phrase, they can trip you up and slow down your reader. In many contexts—like the PACT prompts you’ll encounter—the goal is crisp, direct language that moves ideas along without getting tangled in redundancies. Let me explain why.

A tiny phrase with a big impact

You might see a sentence that reads something like: “but yet some people claim.” It’s perfectly understandable at first glance, but here’s the thing: “but” and “yet” are doing the same job. They both signal contrast. When you stack them, you end up with a double contrast marker that isn’t adding anything new. It’s like wearing two belts—one would do the job; the second just makes the outfit feel heavier.

In the context of short, punchy statements (the kind you’ll see in PACT-style prompts), conciseness isn’t a luxury; it’s a requirement. Readers appreciate a clean signal: this is the point of disagreement; this is the counterpoint. Redundancy steals energy from the sentence, slows the reader down, and can leave a sentence sounding hedged or unsure.

The straightforward revision that nails it

If you’re selecting a revision for a sentence like “but yet some people claim,” the best option is: “but some people claim.” Here’s why this works:

• It preserves contrast: The sentence still marks a counterpoint or disagreement.

• It eliminates redundancy: Only one conjunction is necessary to set up the contrast.

• It keeps rhythm intact: The sentence remains brisk and readable, which is essential for clarity in any writing task.

So, the correct answer is “but some people claim.” And the reason isn’t just a picky rule; it’s about giving your reader a clean path from one idea to the next. When you remove the extra word, the sentence feels lighter and more confident—exactly what you want when you’re presenting an argument or a position in a PACT context.

Why this matters beyond a single line

Concision isn’t a game of trimming adjectives; it’s about shaping intent. In real-world writing, every extra word costs a moment of attention. Readers—whether classmates, instructors, or future colleagues—appreciate prose that respects their time. A sentence that’s tight and precise tends to sound more credible, more authoritative, and more engaged with the topic at hand.

Think of it like speaking up in a conversation: you’d rarely say, “Well, um, I think that, you know, maybe.” You’d say, “I think.” That same principle applies to your written voice. You want a cadence that moves, not a string of qualifiers that momentarily hide your point.

Spotting redundancy in your own writing

If you want to sharpen your eye for these little culprits, try this quick mental habit:

• Scan for paired contrast words: but, yet, however, although, though. Do any two of them appear together in the same clause?

• Check for filler where the sentence still makes sense if you remove the second contrast marker.

• Read aloud. If a phrase sounds heavier than necessary, it probably is.

• Trade a long version for a shorter one and see if the meaning stays intact.

A brief, practical checklist you can keep handy

• Identify the contrast cue: is a second word doing the same job?

• Remove the second cue if it doesn’t change meaning.

• Re-run the sentence with verbs in a strong, active voice when possible.

• Read the paragraph aloud to check flow and rhythm.

• Ensure the revised sentence still supports the overall point or argument.

Tiny habits, big gains

You don’t need a grammar storm to improve. A few mindful edits can lift the whole piece. And because you’re looking at PACT-worthy prompts, you’ll want to train your eye for those micro-edits that tighten your prose without sacrificing nuance.

Digressions that actually wander somewhere

While we’re at it, let me share a quick analogy you might find useful. Think of your writing as a rail journey. The track is your argument; the train cars are your sentences. Redundant links—like “but yet”—are extra tracks that shouldn’t be there. They slow the train down and risk derailment from the main track. A clean pull into a station signals you’ve got the traveler’s attention, not the rail yard’s clutter. The goal isn’t to sound fancy; it’s to keep the journey smooth and the destination clear.

A few more practical moves you can borrow

• Swap “even though” for a tighter structure when possible: if the contrast can be moved into two tighter sentences, do it. Sometimes, starting a new sentence with “Although” or “Even so” is cleaner than shoving a long clause into a single line.

• Prefer active voice where it helps clarity. The difference between “Some people claim” and “People claim” isn’t big in meaning, but the latter is punchier.

• Use conjunctions with purpose. If a sentence needs emphasis, a well-placed contrast can still land with impact—just don’t layer multiple markers in one breath.

• Mix sentence lengths to keep rhythm. Short bursts build momentum; longer, more contemplative lines can help with nuance. The key is balance, not monotony.

A micro-exercise you can try today

Take a few sentences you’ve written recently and run them through this tiny test:

• Do I have two contrast words in one spot? If so, try removing the second one.

• Does the sentence still convey the exact idea after the edit?

• Does the rhythm feel natural when spoken aloud?

Here are a couple of quick examples you can try tweaking:

• Original: “But yet some readers might doubt, but some will praise.”

Revised: “Some readers might doubt, while others will praise.”

Why it works: it keeps contrast but uses a single, clear signal.

• Original: “Even though the report was long, and yet the conclusions seemed unclear.”

Revised: “Although the report was long, the conclusions remained unclear.”

Why it works: tighter phrasing, fewer redundant signals, clearer focus.

A friendly reminder about context

If you’re navigating PACT prompts or other formal writing tasks, you’ll encounter sentences where precision matters more than flair. The best editors keep a steady eye on clarity, not cleverness. It’s okay to favor plain language when it gets the point across. In many real-world situations, your credibility is tied to how effectively you state your case, not how many fancy words you can juggle.

A few more pointers that never go out of style

• Read with a purpose: imagine you’re helping a teammate understand a tricky point. Your goal is to be clear, not to impress with vocabulary.

• Build a mental shortcut: if you become unsure whether to use “but,” “yet,” or “but yet,” start with the simplest option that preserves the contrast you intend, then test whether the sentence still feels right.

• Use natural transitions to connect ideas, rather than forcing a single sentence to carry too much weight. A well-placed phrase can bridge thoughts and keep the flow effortless.

Closing thoughts: small edits, big impact

Concision isn’t about squeezing words out of your writing; it’s about keeping the reader focused on the ideas that matter. The revision from “but yet some people claim” to “but some people claim” is a perfect example: a tiny change that preserves meaning, improves flow, and respects the reader’s time. In the broader context of PACT-style writing tasks, that same discipline—spotting redundancy, validating purpose, and choosing the simplest path to clarity—will serve you well.

If you want to keep growing your skill, treat every sentence as a chance to test clarity. Ask yourself: does this word add meaning? If not, take it out. Does the sentence feel naturally quick or does it stumble? If the cadence slows, revise. It’s not about chasing perfection; it’s about making your ideas easier to follow.

So next time you meet a phrase like “but yet,” pause for a moment and try a simpler turn. You’ll likely find that the path to stronger writing is shorter—and a lot more satisfying—than you expected. After all, good writing isn’t about sounding fancy; it’s about getting your message across with confidence and ease. And that’s a goal anyone can reach.