but definition - Dictionary

MSN homeMailMy MSN

encartagreeting cards

encarta®

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

but

but [ stressed but, unstressed bət ] CORE MEANING: a grammatical word used in the middle of or at the beginning of a sentence to introduce something that is true in spite of either being or seeming contrary to what has just been said

I thought it was late, but it was only 9 o'clock.

Not one, but two offers were received.

Yes, but not now.

It's true her name is Spanish, but she's actually Greek.

I'm a blond, but both my mother and father have dark hair.

Definition:

1. conj introducing opposing proposition: used to introduce a statement that disagrees with something just said, or that expresses an emotion such as surprise or disbelief at what was just said

"I don't think you're qualified for the job." "But I have all the right credentials!"

2. conj introducing further information: used to introduce a clause or a new sentence that adds information such as background or reasoning

Jeff isn't coming with us. But he doesn't like horror movies anyway.

3. conj except that: used to introduce a dependent clause, e.g. a reason for doing or not doing something

I would have called, but I couldn't find a phone.

4. conj without something happening: used to indicate that something does not happen without something else happening or being the case ( formal ) ( usually used after negatives )

She never leaves home but she forgets her keys.

5. conj that: used to introduce a subordinate clause

It's not so difficult but I can't understand it.

6. conj when: than or when ( informal )

I'd no sooner put the phone down but it rang again.

7. conj except: used to indicate the exception to a statement just made

He could do nothing but stand and watch her leave.

There was nothing but a lump of moldy bread in the drawer.

8. adverb only, just, or merely: used to indicate that something happens or is true just to the extent mentioned and not more ( formal )

This is but one of the bread-making techniques used.

He arrived but a minute ago.

We can but try.

9. adverb for emphasis: used to emphasize a statement ( slang )

Man, but he's fast!

10. plural noun buts objections: objections to something ( informal )

Allow time to consider all the ifs, ands, or buts from the children.

[ Old English būtan "outside, without, except, but" < Germanic]

but for if not for, or if it had not been for

but that

1. except that (archaic or formal)

Nothing is important but that I see you again.

2. used as a subordinating conjunction equivalent to "that" following negative words such as "doubt" and "deny" (archaic)follows a negative

Word Usage

Can but begin a sentence?

Some people object to the use of but, like and, at the beginning of a sentence, regarding it as a joining word that has to have words on either side of it. This is a mistaken notion with no foundation in English structure and usage. It is, however, advisable to reserve this use for occasions when the special effect that initial position affords is needed; otherwise it can become an awkward affectation.

But is not usually followed by a comma. A comma may precede but when an independent clause follows, thus: I wanted to leave early, but [not but,] the rest of the group did not.

Avoid unnecessary redundancy in using but and other terms such as however together.

When but is used to indicate an exception, as in No one but me has (or No one but I have) seen the document, either wording can be used, according to your interpretation of the function of but: is it a preposition, as in the first variation, or is it a conjunction, as in the second variation? Though strong cases have been made for both wordings, the prepositional wording does carry slightly more weight. You can recast the sentence as No one has seen the document but me, where its prepositional function is quite clear.

Word Usage


	See help.