but

conjunction

/bət/, strong form /bʌt/

Idioms

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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 nevertheless
neverthelessConceding 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.’
Topics Opinion and argumenta1
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

but 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)

单词	but
释义	but conjunction /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ Idioms jump to other results 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.’ Topics Opinion and argumenta1 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 but 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) but preposition /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ jump to other results except; apart from We've had nothing but trouble with this car. The problem is anything but easy. Who but Rosa could think of something like that? Everyone was there but him. I came last but one in the race (= I wasn't last but next to last). Take the first turning but one (= not the first one but the one after it). Word OriginOld English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out). but adverb /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ /bət/, strong form /bʌt/ jump to other results only I don't think we'll manage it. Still, we can but try. There were a lot of famous people there: Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman, to name but two. Word OriginOld English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out). but noun /bʌt/ /bʌt/ [usually plural] jump to other results a reason that somebody gives for not doing something or not agreeing ‘Let us have no buts,’ he said firmly. ‘You are coming.’ With so many ifs and buts, it is easier to wait and see. Topics Opinion and argumentc1 Word OriginOld English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out).
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