- used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before
- I got it wrong. It wasn't the red one but the blue one.
- His mother won't be there, but his father might.
- It isn't that he lied exactly, but he does tend to exaggerate.
- however; despite this
- I'd asked everybody but only two people came.
- By the end of the day we were tired but happy.
Language Bank neverthelessneverthelessConceding a point and making a counterargument- While the film is undoubtedly too long, it is nevertheless an intriguing piece of cinema.
- It can be argued that the movie is too long. It is nonetheless an intriguing piece of cinema.
- The film is undoubtedly too long. Still, it is an intriguing piece of cinema.
- Of course, huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie, but it is nevertheless a successful piece of storytelling.
- Critics are wrong to argue that the film’s plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists, but audiences will have no difficulty following them.
- It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script, but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent film.
- It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns, but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre.
- used when you are saying sorry about something
- I'm sorry but I can't stay any longer.
- used to introduce a statement that shows that you are surprised or annoyed, or that you disagree
- But that's not possible!
- ‘Here's the money I owe you.’ ‘But that's not right—it was only £10.’
- except
- I had no choice but to sign the contract.
- used before repeating a word in order to emphasize it
- Nothing, but nothing would make him change his mind.
- (literary) used to emphasize that something is always true
- She never passed her old home but she thought of the happy years she had spent there (= she always thought of them).
Word OriginOld English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out).
Idioms
See but in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee but in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbut for
- if it were not for
- He would have played but for a knee injury.
- except for
- The square was empty but for a couple of cabs.
but then (again)
- however; on the other hand
- He might agree. But then again he might have a completely different opinion.
- used before a statement that explains or gives a reason for what has just been said
- She speaks very good Italian. But then she did live in Rome for a year (= so it's not surprising).
you cannot/could not but…
- (formal) used to show that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying
- What could he do but forgive her? (= that was the only thing possible)
Check pronunciation:
but