but

«but» in Mova's school dictionary: different or surprising together — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

conjunction (but); preposition (but — except); adverb (but — only, rare); noun (buts — objections)

meaning for a pupil

1) But joins two ideas that are different or surprising together. tree →

2) But means except: «all but one». tree →

3) But can mean only: «He is but a child» (old style). tree →

4) «Buts» are objections: «no ifs or buts». tree →

5) (casual) In Australia, NZ, Scotland and Ireland «but» at the end of a sentence means «though»: «It's cold, nice day but.» tree →

6) (casual) «But» at the start shows surprise or a protest: «But Mum, I only had 2!» tree →

7) (formal) Exams say «however», «nevertheless», «whereas», «notwithstanding», «with the exception of» and «save for» (except). tree →

sense in the lessons

often brings a change or a part that does not fit; in writing, a joining word that shows contrast; phrases «all but», «nothing but», «but also», «no buts», «but for» (without); in casual talk «but Mum!», «nice day but», «yeah but no but»; in rough talk «no buts, give it here», «but nothing, you're grounded»; in the exam voice «however», «with the exception of», «save for», «whereas»

examples

• He had 10 apples, but he ate 3. tree →
• She wanted 5 books, but bought only 2. tree →
• All but 4 sheep ran away. tree →
• The ticket costs 8 dollars, but kids pay half. tree →
• I like rain, but not thunder. tree →
• Everyone came but Sam. tree →
• We ate nothing but pizza all week. tree →
• No buts, it's time for bed! tree →
• But Mum, he got 5 and I only got 2! tree →
• Cold arvo, good game but. tree →
• All pupils, save for 4, attended. Given an enrolment of 30, determine the attendance. tree →
• The price is 8 dollars; however, a reduction of half applies to minors. tree →
• But the Skin Horse only smiled. tree →

note

Often brings a take-away or an exception. Trap: «all but 4» means 4 are left, not 4 gone. «Nothing but» means only. «save for 4» and «with the exception of 4» in an exam also mean except 4. «however» in an exam means but. «But» at the end of an Australian sentence means «though», with no number meaning. «But» sounds like «butt».

In the corpora

• These things are worrying, but they are almost never anyone's fault at home, and most families get through them.
• One worker alone has little power, but many together are much harder to ignore.
• Some families pay children for extra jobs, like washing the car, but tidying your own room is just part of living together.
• Own-brand food is often made in a similar way to famous brands but costs less because there is no big advertising.
• Saving up is slower than borrowing but cheaper, because no interest is paid.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «but» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.