VIDEO FOR BUT
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Question 1 of 7
What does “clement” mean?
Idioms for but
but for, except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.
but what. what (def. 25).
Origin of but
1synonym study for but
1. But, however, nevertheless, still, yet are words implying opposition (with a possible concession). But marks an opposition or contrast, though in a casual way: We are going, but we shall return. However indicates a less marked opposition, but displays a second consideration to be compared with the first: We are going; however ( “notice this also” ), we shall return. Nevertheless implies a concession, something which should not be forgotten in making a summing up: We are going; nevertheless ( “do not forget that” ), we shall return. Still implies that in spite of a preceding concession, something must be considered as possible or even inevitable: We have to go on foot; still ( “it is probable and possible that” ), we'll get there. Yet implies that in spite of a preceding concession, there is still a chance for a different outcome: We are going; yet ( “in spite of all, some day” ), we shall return. 2. See except1.
grammar notes for but
1. But, like and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like and or so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression: His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also and, so1.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH but
but , buttWords nearby but
Definition for but (2 of 4)
but2
[ buht ]
/ bʌt /
noun Scot.
the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.
the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.
Origin of but
21715–25; noun use of but1 (adv.) outside, outside the house
Definition for but (3 of 4)
but3
[ buht ]
/ bʌt /
noun plural (especially collectively) but, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) buts.
Definition for but (4 of 4)
but-
a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words: butene.
Origin of but-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for but (1 of 2)
Word Origin for but
Old English būtan without, outside, except, from be by + ūtan out; related to Old Saxon biūtan, Old High German biūzan
British Dictionary definitions for but (2 of 2)
but2
/ (bʌt) Scot /
noun
the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen
preposition, adverb
in or into the outer part (of a house)Compare ben 1
Word Origin for but
C18: from but (adv) outside, hence, outer room; see but 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with but
but
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.