How To Use But?

We usually think of but as a conjuction linking two contrastive sentences or clauses:

  1. They had very little money, but (they) always bought their children expensive presents.
  2. They were poor, but (they were) hardworking.
  3. My car is fifteen years old, but (it) still drives beautifully.

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How do you use but in a sentence?

[M] [T] I have no choice but to eat what they serve me. [M] [T] I’m sorry, but I don’t understand English well. [M] [T] She asked him to stay, but he had to go to work. [M] [T] She wants to buy a car, but she can’t afford to.

What is but an example of?

This word is commonly categorized under conjunctions because it can connect two clauses together and form a single sentence. In the sample sentence below: She stumbled but didn’t fall. The word “but” links together the clauses “she stumbled” and “didn’t fall,” and is therefore considered as a conjunction.

What does but do in a sentence?

The conjunction but means “on the contrary,” and is used to indicate contrast or opposition between elements in a sentence.

Can a sentence start with but?

There’s no rule against beginning a sentence with but. Sure, it’s a wise admonition from middle-school English teachers that novice writers avoid beginning a series of sentences with but. In July we went to Six Flags. But it rained that day.

How do you explain but to a child?

Kids Definition of but

  1. 1 : yet nevertheless She fell but wasn’t hurt. He was poor but proud.
  2. 2 : while just the opposite I ski but you don’t.
  3. 3 : except that : unless It never rains but it pours.

Can you use but without a comma?

You should put a comma before but only when but is connecting two independent clauses. I would go for a walk, but it’s raining outside.That means they’re independent clauses, so you need to use a comma before but.

How do you not use but?

“Yet” can often replace “but” in a sentence without changing anything else, as both are coordinating conjunctions that can introduce a contrast. Alternatively, you could use one of these subordinating conjunctions: Although (e.g., I like Brian May, although I find his hair ridiculous.)

Is but a negation?

Assuming that “not fast” is equivalent to “slow”, and that “not slow” is equivalent to “fast” (i.e., that there is no intermediate range of speeds that is neither fast nor slow), then for a logician or a mathematician the negation would be: “Either the processor is slow or the printer is fast.” So the negation of “but”

Can we use but after full stop?

Originally Answered: Can “But” and “And” be used after a full stop ? No rules of English grammar prohibit starting a sentence with any particular word. So, yes, either of these words can be used after a full stop.

Is but a conjunction?

Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence. The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them by using the mnemonic device FANBOYS.

What word can I use instead of but?

synonyms for but

  • although.
  • however.
  • nevertheless.
  • on the other hand.
  • still.
  • though.
  • yet.

What are connective phrases?

connective. A connective is a word or phrase that links clauses or sentences. Connectives can be conjunctions (eg but, when, because) or connecting adverbs (eg however, then, therefore).

What do you mean by bat?

(Entry 1 of 5) 1 : a stout solid stick : club. 2 : a sharp blow : stroke. 3a : a usually wooden implement used for hitting the ball in various games.

Is since a connective?

The connectives in complex sentences are subordinating conjunctions and they tell us about the order or the place in which things happened or specify a cause or effect relationship between events. Connectives used in complex sentences include after, although, as, because, if, since, unless, when.

Can we use but in email?

6. But. This word is usually a prelude to a bad news or a negative statement coming up.You can skip the word ‘but’ and write what you mean in a slightly different manner which doesn’t take down the reader’s expectation, such as: ‘I would really like the meeting to go forward tomorrow.

How do you say butt in a nice way?

Synonyms of butt

  1. backside,
  2. behind,
  3. booty.
  4. (also bootie)
  5. [slang],
  6. bottom,
  7. breech,
  8. bum,

How do you punctuate But?

You should always use a comma before but when joining two independent clauses. A comma after but is only necessary if you’re using it as literary device to draw attention to something.

Can you use but after a semicolon?

You can join two sentences with a semicolon, and you can start the second sentence with “but,” so, yes, you can put “but” after a semicolon.

How do you properly use however?

Use a semi-colon (;) before and a comma (,) after however when you are using it to write a compound sentence. If ‘however’ is used to begin a sentence, it must be followed by a comma, and what appears after the comma must be a complete sentence. However, there was no need to repeat the data entry.

Should I avoid using but?

‘But’ Statements in Communication are Risky
It can really change the way we think about ourselves and how we communicate with others. Simply used, the word ‘But’ negates whatever precedes it and can create a sense of defensiveness. Saying the word ‘And’ instead creates more effective and non-defensive conversation.