but: difference between revisions

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→‎Usage notes: however shouldn't end sentence,, but should be preceeded by comma http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk.html
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* Beginning a sentence with a [[coordinating conjunction]] such as '''but''' is considered incorrect by classical grammarians arguing that a coordinating conjunction at the start of a sentence has nothing to connect, but use of the word in this way is very common. It is, however, best to avoid beginning a sentence with '''but''' in formal writing. Combining sentences or using '''however''', '''nevertheless''', '''still''', or '''though''' is appropriate for the formal style.
* Beginning a sentence with a [[coordinating conjunction]] such as '''but''' is considered incorrect by classical grammarians arguing that a coordinating conjunction at the start of a sentence has nothing to connect, but use of the word in this way is very common. It is, however, best to avoid beginning a sentence with '''but''' in formal writing. Combining sentences or using '''however''', '''nevertheless''', '''still''', or '''though''' is appropriate for the formal style.
** But this tool has its uses.
** But this tool has its uses.
** This tool has its uses, however.
** However, this tool has its uses.
** Nevertheless, this tool has its uses.
** Nevertheless, this tool has its uses.
** Still, this tool has its uses.
** Still, this tool has its uses.
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** This tool has its uses, though.
** This tool has its uses, though.


* The use of the word '''but''' preceded by a comma is also considered incorrect by classical grammarians.
* The use of the word '''but''' preceded by a comma is considered correct by classical grammarians.
** I was very tired, but I decided to continue.
** I was very tired, but I decided to continue.
** It was a lovely day, but rain looked likely.
** It was a lovely day, but rain looked likely.

Revision as of 16:17, 10 January 2011

See also: butt, Butt, and būt

English

Lua error in Module:interproject at line 55: Parameter "dab" is not used by this template.

Etymology

(deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old English (deprecated template usage) būtan, corresponding to "by + out".

Pronunciation

  • (stressed) enPR: bŭt, Lua error: Please specify a language code in the first parameter; the value "/bʌt/" is not valid (see Wiktionary:List of languages)., Template:SAMPA
  • (unstressed) enPR: bət, Lua error: Please specify a language code in the first parameter; the value "/bət/" is not valid (see Wiktionary:List of languages)., Template:SAMPA
  • noicon(file)
    Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "en-us-but.ogg" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E.
    Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "ʌt" is not valid. See WT:LOL.
  • Homophones: butt

Preposition

but

  1. (deprecated template usage) Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "obsolete" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. Outside of.
    Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there.
  2. Without, apart from, except.
    Everyone but Father left early.
    I like everything but that.

Adverb

but (not comparable)

  1. Merely, only.
    Since that day, my mood has changed but a little.
    • 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
      Now the Wicked Witch of the West had but one eye, yet that was as powerful as a telescope, and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her castle, she happened to look around and saw Dorothy lying asleep, with her friends all about her. They were a long distance off, but the Wicked Witch was angry to find them in her country; so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck.

Conjunction

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

but

  1. Except (for), excluding.
    I have no choice but to leave.
  2. On the contrary, but rather (introducing a word or clause that contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence without the not).
    I am not rich but (I am) poor.
  3. However, although, nevertheless (implies that the following clause is contrary to prior belief or contrasts with or contradicts the preceding clause or sentence).
    She is very old but still attractive.
    You told me I could do that, but she said that I could not.
  4. Without it also happening that; unless that (introducing a necessary concomitant).
    It never rains but it pours.

Usage notes

  • Beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction such as but is considered incorrect by classical grammarians arguing that a coordinating conjunction at the start of a sentence has nothing to connect, but use of the word in this way is very common. It is, however, best to avoid beginning a sentence with but in formal writing. Combining sentences or using however, nevertheless, still, or though is appropriate for the formal style.
    • But this tool has its uses.
    • However, this tool has its uses.
    • Nevertheless, this tool has its uses.
    • Still, this tool has its uses.
    • This tool still has its uses.
    • This tool has its uses, though.
  • The use of the word but preceded by a comma is considered correct by classical grammarians.
    • I was very tired, but I decided to continue.
    • It was a lovely day, but rain looked likely.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

but (plural buts)

  1. An instance or example of using the word "but"
    It has to be done – no ifs or buts.
  2. Template:Scotland The outer room of a small two-room cottage.

Statistics

Anagrams


Danish

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "gmw-lge" is not valid. See WT:LOL..

Adjective

but

  1. Template:rare blunt

Synonyms

Antonyms


French

Pronunciation

Noun

but m (plural buts)

  1. aim
  2. goal (result one is attempting to achieve)
  3. Template:sports goal (in the place, act, or point sense)

Synonyms

Related terms

Verb form

Template:fr-verb-form

  1. Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "Third-person singular indicative simple past" is not valid. See WT:LOL.

Maltese

Noun

but Lua error in Module:links/templates at line 56: Parameter 1 is required.

  1. pocket

Polish

Pronunciation

Noun

(deprecated template usage) but m

  1. shoe
  2. boot

Declension


Romani

Adjective

but (comparative majbut, superlative legmajbut)

  1. many

Scots

Noun

but (plural buts)

  1. The outer room of a small two-room cottage.

Preposition

but

  1. Outside of, without.

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Turkish (deprecated template usage) but, (deprecated template usage) bud.

Noun

Lua error in Module:sh-headword at line 131: Parameter 1 is not used by this template.

  1. thigh
  2. ham

Declension


Turkish

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old Turkic būt, from Template:proto.

Noun

but

  1. thigh

Synonyms