but
/bʌt/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌt] /bʌt/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈʌt] /ˈbət/ (ame, mw) · /bət/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌt] /bət/ (ame, ipa)
but — adverb
1. used before a noun phrase to show that something is no more important or impress
used before a noun phrase to show that something is no more important or impressive than what is described — like saying 'nothing more than' or 'only'.
The news was but a rumor that no one could confirm.
pattern: be + but + noun phrase — 'nothing more than'
Mei-Lin is but a beginner at chess and still learns the basic rules.
The delay was but a minor inconvenience compared to the damage.
The senator's promise was but an attempt to win votes before the election.
文法句型
but + noun phrase (emphasising 'nothing more than')
用法筆記
In modern everyday English, 'just' or 'merely' is preferred. This 'but' is found mainly in formal or literary writing.
常見錯誤
2. no more than a particular amount, distance, or period of time — emphasising that
no more than a particular amount, distance, or period of time — emphasising that something is small or short.
Olivia finished the assignment but an hour before the deadline.
pattern: but + time expression — 'only'
The hotel is but a short walk from the main train station.
Nora has seen that film but once and cannot recall the ending.
The Garcia family had but ten minutes to catch the evening ferry.
文法句型
but + quantity/time expression
用法筆記
Common before expressions of time, distance, or quantity. In informal conversation, 'only' is far more frequent.
常見錯誤
but — conjunction
1. used to connect two statements when the second one is different from or contradi
used to connect two statements when the second one is different from or contradicts what you might expect from the first one.
Theo wanted to join the hiking trip, but he had to finish his homework first.
contrastive pattern: [clause], but [clause]
The weather app predicted rain, but the sky stayed clear all day.
Ella speaks fluent Japanese, but she has never visited Tokyo.
I am sorry to interrupt, but the manager asked me to deliver this package.
The room was small and dark, but it felt surprisingly warm and welcoming.
- and
adds similar information instead of contrasting
文法句型
[clause 1], but [clause 2]
常見錯誤
2. used after a negative statement to show that the only possible thing is what fol
used after a negative statement to show that the only possible thing is what follows — meaning 'except' or 'other than'.
We could do nothing but wait for the rescue team to arrive.
pattern: nothing but + base verb
The children could not but feel excited about visiting the aquarium.
pattern: cannot but + base verb (formal)
Hassan had no choice but to accept the job in another city.
The doctor said there was nothing to do but let the fever pass naturally.
文法句型
nothing/cannot but + base verb
have no choice but to + infinitive
用法筆記
In the 'cannot but + verb' pattern, the verb is in its base form without 'to'. In the 'have no choice but + to-verb' pattern, 'to' is required before the verb.
常見錯誤
but — noun
1. a spoken reason that someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something, esp
a spoken reason that someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something, especially when the speaker thinks the reason is unnecessary or an excuse.
I do not want to hear any buts about cleaning your room tonight.
phrase: any buts — rejecting excuses
Dad said no buts and told us to finish our vegetables first.
There are too many buts in your explanation for it to be convincing.
The coach listened to complaints but finally said no buts allowed.
文法句型
no buts
no ifs and buts
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'buts'. The most common expression is 'no buts', used when someone wants to stop another person from making excuses.
常見錯誤
but — preposition
1. used to introduce the only person or thing that is not included in a statement —
used to introduce the only person or thing that is not included in a statement — meaning 'except' or 'apart from'.
Everyone but Amara was invited to the wedding ceremony.
pattern: everyone but + noun — excluding one person
The library is open every day but Sunday during summer.
All the guests but one arrived on time for the dinner party.
No one but the head teacher knew about the surprise inspection.
The suitcase contained nothing but old clothes and a few books.
- except
the most common equivalent; interchangeable in all contexts
- apart from
slightly more formal; also means 'in addition to' in some contexts
- save
very formal or literary; uncommon in speech
文法句型
all/everyone/nobody/nothing but + noun
用法筆記
This 'but' can always be replaced with 'except' or 'apart from' in modern English. The 'nothing but' pattern is very common and means 'only'.
常見錯誤
but — pronoun
1. used after a negative expression such as 'no one' or 'nothing' to mean 'who does
used after a negative expression such as 'no one' or 'nothing' to mean 'who does not' or 'that does not' — a literary way of saying that everyone or everything is included.
There is no one in this village but remembers the great flood.
pattern: no one but + verb — 'who does not'
Not a single student but felt nervous before the final exam.
No family in the region but was affected by the coastal flooding.
There are few books but offer something valuable to careful readers.
- who...not
clearer paraphrase but not a single-word synonym; e.g. 'no one who does not'
文法句型
no one/nobody/nothing but + verb
用法筆記
This is a literary or formal construction that is rarely heard in casual conversation. In modern English, equivalent phrases like 'everyone who', 'there is no one who does not', or 'there are few that do not' are far more common.