but

Adverb

Adverb

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A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

1. 1.Merely, only, just, no more than.

   • Christmas comes but once a year, so we can but wait till then.
   • Black Knight: "'Tis but a scratch." King Arthur: "A scratch? Your arm's off!"
   • Now the Wicked Witch of the West had but one eye, yet that was as powerful as a telescope, and could see everywhere.

2. 2.Though, however.

   • I'll have to go home early but.
   • "Supposin' the chap ain't dead, but?" Regan persisted.
   • ‘I didn’t like that sheila that tried to latch onto him, but.’

3. 3.Used to repeat an adverb for emphasis; simply; just; absolutely.

   • I would never, but never do such a thing!
   • “I would never,” said Joan, as she backed the car and worked on the wheel, “but never have allowed my child to go abroad with that old Lesbian.”
   • The Nobel prize for literature is announced tomorrow lunchtime so it's time for the usual annual guessing game here on the Books desk, safe in the knowledge that we always, but always, get it wrong.

Prep

Preposition

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A word placed before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show its relationship to another part of the sentence.

1. 1.Apart from, except (for), excluding.

   • Nobody answered the door when I knocked, so I had no choice but to leave.
   • Everyone but Father left early.
   • I like everything but that.

2. 2.Outside of.

   • Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there.

Conj

Conjunction

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A word that links words, phrases, or clauses.

1. 1.However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand (introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence).

   • She is very old but still attractive.
   • She’s welcomed them but been rude to us.
   • You told me I could do that, but she said that I could not.

2. 2.On the contrary, rather (as a regular adversative conjunction, introducing a word or clause in contrast or contradiction with the preceding negative clause or sentence).

   • I am not rich but [I am] poor. Not John but Peter went there.
   • It’s not so much that we don’t wanna go, but I just haven’t time.

3. 3.Used at the beginning of a sentence to express opposition to a remark.(colloquial)

   • But I never said you could do that!

Overall

Very common· #24

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Common

General reading & writing

Very common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Uncommon

Synonyms

• merely
• simply

Word family

• butter
• button
• debut