Have you ever tried making a list of books you love, only to realize that you can’t fit them in a sentence? That’s where the phrase “including, but not limited” can come in handy. This phrase clarifies that more items could be part of your list. Keep reading to see where it comes from and how to use it properly.
Related:
- What Does It Mean to Say Stupid Is as Stupid Does?
- What Is Do as I Say, Not as I Do and How to Use It?
- What Is “On Cloud Nine?” and How to Use It?
What Does “Including, But Not Limited To” Mean?
The phrase “including, but not limited to,” means that other relevant items could fit aside from what you’ve mentioned.
For instance, if your teacher says, “The quiz next week will cover different math topics, including, but not limited to, multiplication, fractions, and division.” This means that your teacher will include other math-related topics aside from what she mentioned.
The exact origin of this phrase isn’t well-documented, but you can find it mostly in business and contract writing to avoid unnecessary restrictions and contract disputes.
Example sentences:
- The warehouse has agricultural chemicals, including, but not limited to, fertilizers and weed killers.
- The company has several benefits, including, but not limited to, unlimited PTOs, health insurance, and retirement plans.
- The course covers multiple topics, from history to science, including, but not limited to, global events and environmental issues.
Example conversations:
- You: What’s included in the subscription?
- Your friend: Oh, it’s got a lot of stuff, including, but not limited to, premium content, early access, and exclusive offers.
- You: The new job position appears promising. What are the main duties if I apply?
- Your friend: It’s pretty hands-on, including, but not limited to, answering customer queries, processing orders, and managing returns.
When and How to Use “Including, But Not Limited To“
You can use “including, but not limited” when you want to list examples without implying they are the only possibilities. The phrase is used in professional writing, legal documents, and casual speech when you want to keep things open-ended.
When writing the phrase, you should always put a comma before the word “including,” especially if it introduces a non-restrictive clause. After “including,” the comma is optional, and so does the word “to.” For instance:
With Comma: “The restaurant serves different cuisines, including, but not limited to, Italian, Mexican, and Thai.”
Without Comma: “The restaurant serves different cuisines, including but not limited to Italian, Mexican, and Thai.”
Tip: Avoid using a colon after the word “including.”
While “including, but not limited to” is acceptable in conversations, you should use it sparingly because it is considered too formal and may even feel awkward in casual speech.
Other Ways to Say “Including, But Not Limited To“
Sometimes, “including, but not limited to” might feel too formal or repetitive, especially in casual conversations or less technical writing. In such cases, you might switch things up. Here are a few options:
- Such as, but not restricted to
- Like, but not exclusively
- Among others
- As an example, but not the only one
- Such as, without limitation
- etc.(et cetera)
Final Thoughts
The phrase “including, but not limited to” helps you list things while indicating more similar items are included. It’s common in legal writing, business, and even everyday conversations. Just remember to use it correctly by putting a comma before the word including.
