Question:

The part of the sentence underlined below may contain an error. Choose the option that replaces the underlined part with the grammatically correct choice.

He is nothing else than a dishonest fellow.

Show Hint

There is a two-word idiom meaning 'only' or 'merely' that fits neatly before 'a dishonest fellow'.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
  • nothing else lest a dishonest
  • nothing else than a dishonest
  • nothing else except a dishonest
  • nothing but dishonest
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The natural English idiom for 'only' or 'merely' is 'nothing but'. 'Nothing else than' is awkward and non-standard here.

  • nothing but dishonest is correct because 'nothing but' is the fixed idiom meaning 'only', giving 'He is nothing but a dishonest fellow'.
  • nothing else lest a dishonest is wrong because 'lest' means 'for fear that' and makes no sense here.
  • nothing else than a dishonest is wrong because that phrasing is clumsy and not the accepted idiom.
  • nothing else except a dishonest is wrong because 'else except' is wordy and redundant.

The correct expression is 'nothing but'.

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