You use but to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said, or to introduce something which adds to what you have just said.
'You said you'd stay till tomorrow.'—'I know, Bel, but I think I would rather goback.'
Place the saucepan over moderate heat until the cider is very hot but not boiling.
He not only wants to be taken seriously as a musician, but as a poet too.
2. conjunction
You use but when you are about to add something further in a discussion or to change the subject.
They need to recruit more people into the prison service. But another point I'd liketo make is that many prisons were built in the nineteenth century.
Synonyms: however, still, yet, nevertheless More Synonyms of but
3. conjunction
You use but after you have made an excuse or apologized for what you are just about to say.
Please excuse me, but there is something I must say.
I'm sorry, but it's nothing to do with you.
Forgive my asking, but you're not very happy, are you?
4. conjunction
You use but to introduce a reply to someone when you want to indicate surprise, disbelief, refusal, or protest.
[feelings]
'I don't think I should stay in this house.'—'But why?'
'Somebody wants you on the telephone'—'But no one knows I'm here!'
5. preposition
But is used to mean 'except'.
Europe will be represented in all but two of the seven races.
He didn't speak anything but Greek.
The crew of the ship gave them nothing but bread to eat.
Synonyms: except (for), save, bar, barring More Synonyms of but
6. adverb [ADVERB noun]
But is used to mean 'only'.
[formal]
Orbit is but one of the sculptor's striking creations.
Lots of interesting different flavours combine - mixed spice and wild berries toname but two.
Synonyms: only, just, simply, merely More Synonyms of but
7. plural noun
You use buts in expressions like 'no buts' and 'ifs and buts' to refer to reasons someone gives for not doing something, especially when you do not think that they are good reasons.
'B-b-b-b-but' I stuttered.—'Never mind the buts,' she ranted.
He committed a crime, no ifs or buts about it.
8.
See cannot but
9.
See but for
10.
See but then/but then again
11.
See but then
12. all but
13. anything but
More Synonyms of but
English Easy Learning GrammarJoining clausesCoordination The process called coordination joins two short clauses of equal importance with aconjunction. Each clause becomes a main clause in the new ... Read more
but in British English1
(bʌt, unstressed bət)
conjunction(coordinating)
1.
contrary to expectation
he cut his knee but didn't cry
2.
in contrast; on the contrary
I like opera but my husband doesn't
3. (usually used after a negative)
other than
we can't do anything but wait
conjunction(subordinating)
4. (usually used after a negative)
without it happening or being the case that
we never go out but it rains
5. (foll by that)
except that
nothing is impossible but that we live forever
6. archaic
if not; unless
sentence connector
7. informal
used to introduce an exclamation
my, but you're nice
preposition
8.
except; save
they saved all but one of the pigs
9. but for
adverb
10.
just; merely; only
he was but a child
I can but try
11. Scottish, Australian and New Zealand informal
though; however
it's a rainy day: warm, but
12. all but
noun
13.
an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts)
Word origin
Old English būtan without, outside, except, from beby + ūtanout; related to Old Saxon biūtan, Old High German biūzan
but in British English2
(bʌt) Scottish
noun
1.
the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen
preposition, adverb
2.
in or into the outer part (of a house)
Compare ben1
Word origin
C18: from but (adv) outside, hence, outer room; see but1
but in American English1
(bʌt; unstressed bət)
preposition
1.
with the exception of; excepting; save [nobody came but me]
earlier, and still sometimes, regarded as a conjunction and followed by the nominativecase [nobody came but I (came)]
2.
except; other than
used with an infinitive as the object
we cannot choose but (to) stay
conjunction
3.
and in spite of this; and even so; yet
he is a villain, but he has some virtues
4.
and on the contrary
I am old, but you are young
5.
unless; except that
it never rains but it pours
6.
that
I don't question but you're correct
7.
that . . . not
it's not so high but we can jump it
adverb
8.
only
if I had but known
9.
merely; no more than; not otherwise than
he is but a child
10.
just
I heard it but now
11.
on the other hand; yet
used to introduce a sentence
12. Slang
absolutely; positively
he did it, but good
pronoun
13.
who . . . not; which . . . not
not a man but felt it
Idioms:
but for
but that
Word origin
ME < OE butan, buton, without, outside; WGmc comp. < *be-, *bi-, by + *utana, from without: see out
but in American English2
(bʌt)
noun
Scottish
the outer room, esp. the kitchen, of a cottage
Idioms:
but and ben
Word origin
akin to but1
Examples of 'but' in a sentence
but
You cannot help but feel sorry for the families concerned.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But he just happened to be cycling on the same road.
The Sun (2016)
People look to you for advice so give it sincerely but tactfully.
The Sun (2017)
But after a certain age it is no less childish.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Welcome them back but resist making a fuss.
The Sun (2017)
We email and text one another but to actually see him was amazing.
The Sun (2017)
We all want to be more productive at work but forget reorganising your desk.
The Sun (2016)
Money is tight across all public services but it is impossible to improve social care without finding more from somewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But would it cut net migration?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But we forget that the church is also an army.
Christianity Today (2000)
She might feel pressured to agree but it would just add to her worries.
The Sun (2015)
But that will give him a huge lift.
The Sun (2015)
We had to tough it out in certain situations but defensively we were really good.
The Sun (2016)
Rock at back but at fault for goal.
The Sun (2014)
She is another dark horse but her resilience is unquestioned.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The result of the first game is negative but not impossible.
The Sun (2009)
But they helped to settle the consciences of her subjects.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The arts budget cannot be immune to cuts but it should be better balanced.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She was a bit overwhelmed but happy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We should drink less but justify drinking as a necessary evil.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But there were excuses for that poor run.
The Sun (2007)
The resentment was inevitable but it had scarcely any basis in rationality.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They have become a fantasy not about labour but lifestyle.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But it looked like a forlorn hope when he failed to get a place at art college.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Empire of Things is a masterpiece of historical research but also a delight to read.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So enjoy it while it lasts, but be aware that you can go in or out of fashion.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
but
British English: but /bʌt/ CONJUNCTION
You use but to say something that is different than what you have just said.
Heat the milk until it is very hot but not boiling.
American English: but
Arabic: لَكِن
Brazilian Portuguese: mas
Chinese: 但是
Croatian: ali
Czech: ale
Danish: men
Dutch: maar
European Spanish: pero
Finnish: mutta
French: mais
German: aber
Greek: αλλά
Italian: ma
Japanese: しかし
Korean: 그러나
Norwegian: men
Polish: ale
European Portuguese: mas
Romanian: dar
Russian: но
Latin American Spanish: pero
Swedish: men
Thai: แต่
Turkish: fakat
Ukrainian: але
Vietnamese: nhưng
All related terms of 'but'
all but
All but a particular person or thing means everyone or everything except that person or thing.
but for
You use but for to introduce the only factor that causes a particular thing not to happen or not to be completely true .
can but
can only
but that
about the fact that
but then
You use but then before a remark which suggests that what you have just said should not be regarded as surprising .
none but
None but means only.
cannot but
You use cannot but , could not but , and cannot help but when you want to emphasize that you believe something must be true and that there is no possibility of anything else being the case.
nothing but
You use nothing but in front of a noun , an infinitive without 'to', or an '-ing' form to mean 'only'.
anything but
You use anything but in expressions such as anything but quiet and anything but attractive to emphasize that something is not the case.
but and ben
a two-roomed cottage consisting of an outer room or kitchen ( but ) and an inner room ( ben )
last but one
next to last
cannot choose but
to be obliged to
cannot help but
to be unable to do anything else except
in all but name
If you say that a situation exists in all but name , you mean that it is not officially recognized even though it exists.
separate but equal
pertaining to a racial policy by which black people may be segregated if granted equal opportunities and facilities , as for education , transportation , or jobs
slowly but surely
If you say that something is happening slowly but surely , you mean that it is happening gradually but it is definitely happening.
the next but one
the one after the next
but then/but then again
You use but then or but then again before a remark which slightly contradicts what you have just said .
bloodied but unbowed
not defeated or destroyed after a bad experience
close but no cigar
said to someone to mean that they have failed in what they were trying to achieve or make you believe
last but not least
You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others.
but that's another story
You say ' but that's another story ' when you have mentioned a subject that you are not going to talk about or explain in detail .
shaken but not stirred
If you say that someone has been shaken but not stirred by an experience , you mean that they have been slightly disturbed or emotionally affected by it, but not deeply enough to change their behaviour or way of thinking .
not that
which is not to say or suppose that
last but one/last but three etc
You can use phrases such as the last but one , the last but two , or the last but three , to refer to the thing or person that is, for example , one, two, or three before the final person or thing in a group or series .
everything but the kitchen sink
very many things, many of which are unnecessary
it never rains but it pours
You can use the expression it never rains but it pours to mean that several unfortunate events often happen at the same time.
not with a bang but a whimper
If you say that something happens not with a bang but a whimper , you mean that it is less effective or exciting than was expected or intended .
the lights are on but nobody is at home
said to mean that although someone seems to be normal or satisfactory , they are in fact very stupid or useless
there but for the grace of God go I
If you are talking about someone who is in a bad situation and you say ' There but for the grace of God go I ', you mean that you are lucky not to be in the same situation as them and you feel sympathy for them.
someone has won the battle, but lost the war
said to mean that in a struggle , someone has gained one small thing but lost something that is much more important
have only oneself to blame/have no-one but oneself to blame
If you say that someone has only themselves to blame or has no-one but themselves to blame , you mean that they are responsible for something bad that has happened to them and that you have no sympathy for them.
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
said to mean that you can give someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it if they do not want to
lose/win the battle, win/lose the war to lose the battle but win the war
If you say that someone has lost the battle , but won the war , you mean that although they have been defeated in a small conflict they have won a larger, more important one of which it was a part. If you say that someone has won the battle but lost the war , you mean that they have won the small conflict but lost the larger one.
Chinese translation of 'but'
but
(bʌt)
conj
(= yet, however) 但是 (dànshì)
I'd love to come, but I'm busy我想来(來)，但是有事 (wǒ xiǎng lái, dànshì yǒushì)
he may not be very bright, but he is hard-working他可能不是很聪(聰)明，但很努力 (tā kěnéng bù shì hěn cōngmíng, dàn hěn nǔlì)
but then不过(過) (bùguò)
she isn't English but American她不是英国(國)人而是美国(國)人 (tā bù shì Yīngguórén ér shì Měiguórén)
enjoyable but tiring很开(開)心但也很累 (hěn kāixīn dàn yě hěn lèi)
not only ... but also不但 ... 而且 (bùdàn ... érqiě)
(showing disagreement, surprise etc)
but that's far too expensive!但是那太贵(貴)了！ (dànshì nà tài guì le!)
but it does work!但那确(確)实(實)奏效！ (dàn nà quèshí zòuxiào!)
prep
(= apart from, except) 除了 (chúle)
nothing but仅(僅)仅(僅) (jǐnjǐn)
anything but决(決)不 (juébù)
they've got no-one but themselves to blame他们(們)只有责(責)备(備)自己 (tāmen zhǐyǒu zébèi zìjǐ)
who but ... ?除了 ... 还(還)有谁(誰)？ (chúle ... hái yǒu shuí?)
adv
(= just, only) 只 (zhǐ)
to name but two只提两(兩)个(個) (zhǐ tí liǎng gè)
had I but known要是我知道的话(話) (yàoshì wǒ zhīdào de huà)
I can but try我只能试(試)一下 (wǒ zhǐnéng shì yī xià)
you cannot (help) but be impressed你不能不产(產)生深刻印象 (nǐ bù néng bù chǎnshēng shēnkè yìnxiàng)
she's but a child她只不过(過)是个(個)孩子 (tā zhǐ bù guò shì gè háizi)
but for (= without) 若不是 (ruò bù shì) (= except for) 除了 (chúle)
but for his help/him, we wouldn't have finished the job没(沒)有他的帮(幫)助/他，我们(們)还(還)没(沒)有完成工作呢 (méiyǒu tāde bāngzhu/tā, wǒmen hái méiyǒu wánchéng gōngzuò ne)
the box was empty but for a small piece of paper除了一张(張)小纸(紙)片外，盒子里(裡)空空如也 (chúle yī zhāng xiǎo zhǐpiàn wài, hézi li kōngkōng rú yě)
but 主要用作连词。 I was going to stay till tomorrow but I've changed my mind.however 主要用作副词，多用于书面语。 Most of the crops failed. The cotton did quite well, however.
All related terms of 'but'
but for
( without ) 若不是 ruò bù shì
but then
( however ) 不过(過) bùguò
none but
( frm ) 只有 zhǐyǒu
nothing but
只 zhǐ
anything but
决(決)不 juébù
anything but!
绝(絕)对(對)不！ juéduì bù!
who but ... ?
除了 ... 还(還)有谁(誰)？ chúle ... hái yǒu shuí?
I can but try
我只能试(試)一下 wǒ zhǐnéng shì yī xià
had I but known
要是我知道的话(話) yàoshì wǒ zhīdào de huà
she all but died
( almost ) 她几(幾)乎要死掉了 tā jīhū yào sǐ diào le
slowly but surely
缓(緩)慢而稳(穩)步地 huǎnmàn ér wěnbù de
to name but two
只提两(兩)个(個) zhǐ tí liǎng gè
but it does work!
但那确(確)实(實)奏效！ dàn nà quèshí zòuxiào!
enjoyable but tiring
很开(開)心但也很累 hěn kāixīn dàn yě hěn lèi
last but not least
最后(後)一个(個)，但不是不重要的 zuìhòu yī gè, dàn bù shì bù zhòngyào de
no offence, but ...
不要见(見)怪，但 ... bùyào jiànguài, dàn ...
not merely ... but ...
不仅(僅) ... 而且 ... bùjǐn ... érqiě ...
she's but a child
她只不过(過)是个(個)孩子 tā zhǐ bù guò shì gè háizi
not only ... but also
不但 ... 而且 bùdàn ... érqiě
but that's far too expensive!
但是那太贵(貴)了！ dànshì nà tài guì le!
forgive my ignorance, but ...
请(請)原谅(諒)我的无(無)知，但是 ... qǐng yuánliàng wǒ de wúzhī, dànshì ...