But Word Meaning

Old English be-ūtan, būtan, būta ‘outside, without, except’ (see by, out)

used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned

introducing phrase contrasting with one already mentioned

• he stumbled but didn't fall
• this is one principle, but it is not the only one
• the food is cheap but delicious
• the problem is not that they are cutting down trees, but that they are doing it in a predatory way

used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated

indicating impossibility of anything other than that stated

• one cannot but sympathize
• there was nothing they could do but swallow their pride
• they had no alternative but to follow

used to introduce a response expressing a feeling such as surprise or anger

introducing response expressing surprise etc.

• but that's an incredible saving!
• but why?

used after an expression of apology for what one is about to say

used after apology for forthcoming statement

• I'm sorry, but I can't pay you

without it being the case that

without it being the case that

• it never rains but it pours

except; apart from; other than

apart from

• we were never anything but poor
• supply currently exceeds demand in all but the most rural areas
• the last but one

no more than; only

no more than; only

• he is but a shadow of his former self
• choose from a colourful array of mango, starfruit, and raspberries, to name but a few

(used at the end of a sentence) though; however

though

• he was a nice bloke but

an argument against something; an objection

argument or objection

• no buts—just get out of here
• as with all these proposals, ifs and buts abound