but

but

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Pronunciation

IPA: /bʌt/

• but: /bʌt/

• /b/ - voiced bilabial plosive

• /ʌ/ - near-open central unrounded vowel

• /t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive

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Word Form Variations

The word "but" does not have typical variations like singular/plural forms for nouns or different tenses for verbs, as its primary uses are as a conjunction, adverb, and preposition. However, it can occasionally function as a noun, in which case it has a plural form.

• Conjunction: but (no variations)

• Adverb: but (no variations)

• Preposition: but (no variations)

• Noun: but (singular), buts (plural)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Conjunction

1. Introducing a contrasting or opposing idea; on the contrary; however.

• Definition: Used to connect two clauses or phrases where the second part introduces an element that is different from or in opposition to the first part.

• Synonyms: however, nevertheless, yet, still, though

• Antonyms: and, also, moreover

2. With the exception of; apart from.

• Definition: Used to indicate an exclusion or exception to a general statement.

• Synonyms: except, save, other than, excluding

• Antonyms: including, also, too

Adverb

1. No more than; only.

• Definition: Used to indicate limitation or restriction, meaning "only" or "merely."

• Synonyms: only, merely, just, simply

• Antonyms: abundantly, extensively, widely

2. All but; almost.

• Definition: Used in phrases like "all but" to mean "very nearly" or "almost."

• Synonyms: almost, nearly, practically, virtually

• Antonyms: entirely, completely, totally

Preposition

1. Except.

• Definition: Used to mean "with the exception of" or "excluding."

• Synonyms: except for, apart from, save for

• Antonyms: including, along with

Noun

1. A reservation or objection; a proviso.

• Definition: A reason given for not doing something, or a condition that limits an agreement; often used in the plural "buts."

• Synonyms: objection, qualification, reservation, condition, proviso

• Antonyms: agreement, acceptance, approval

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. But a single man of good fortune, whatever his feelings may be on this point, must be in want of a wife." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, January 1813)

• "He knew he should speak, but the words caught in his throat." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, June 1997)

Newspapers:

• "The government promised to lower taxes, but the new budget suggests otherwise." (The New York Times)

• "Sales figures were strong this quarter, but analysts warn of potential headwinds in the coming months." (The Wall Street Journal)

Online Publications:

• "The new AI model shows incredible promise, but ethical concerns regarding its deployment persist." (Wired)

• "She wanted to attend the concert, but her work schedule conflicted." (HuffPost)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "I know what I have to do, but I don't know if I have the strength to do it." (Frodo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, December 2001)

• Television: "We tried to save him, but it was too late." (Game of Thrones, May 2019)

• Music: "I can't get no satisfaction, but I try." (The Rolling Stones, "Satisfaction," June 1965)

• Video Games: "You completed the first mission, but the real challenge lies ahead." (Cyberpunk 2077, December 2020)

• Podcast: "The guest made some excellent points, but the host challenged them on a few key assumptions." (The Daily, The New York Times)

General Public Discourse:

• "It was raining heavily, but we still went for a walk."

• "He's a nice person, but sometimes he can be a bit blunt."

• "I appreciate your offer, but I've already made other plans."

• "There's no 'ifs, ands, or buts' about it; you need to finish your homework."

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10 Quotes Using But

1. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." (Maya Angelou)

2. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. But there is an even more insidious fear that we must overcome—the fear of standing still." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

3. "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. But I will not give up." (Thomas A. Edison)

4. "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." (John Lennon)

5. "I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, / When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,— / When he beats his bars and he would be free; / It is not a carol of joy or glee, / But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core." (Paul Laurence Dunbar)

6. "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm)

7. "I can resist everything but temptation." (Oscar Wilde)

8. "Man plans, and God laughs. But sometimes, God lets the man's plan work." (Jewish Proverb)

9. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions, but it's a good place to start." (Karl Marx)

10. "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." (Gloria Steinem)

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Etymology

The word "but" has a surprisingly interesting journey through the English language!

At its very beginning, in Old English (before about 1150 AD), "but" wasn't used the way we mostly use it today. It came from a West Germanic word that was essentially a combination of two smaller words: "*be-" (meaning "by" or "around") and "*utana" (meaning "out" or "outside"). So, its original core meaning was something like "outside" or "without."

Imagine someone saying something like, "All the apples are ripe, but the basket" – they would have meant "all the apples are ripe, outside the basket" or "all the apples are ripe, except for the ones that are outside the basket."

Over time, this idea of "outside" or "without" started to shift. It evolved to mean "with the exception of" or "unless." For instance, "He left the house but his hat" would have meant "He left the house except for his hat."

It wasn't until the late Old English period that "but" started to be used as a conjunction in the way we commonly understand it today, meaning "on the contrary" or "however." This is where it began to introduce a contrasting idea, which is its most frequent use now.

So, the first known meaning of "but" was very much about exclusion or being outside something, and it gradually transformed into the versatile word we use to show contrast, exception, or simply "only."

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Phrases + Idioms Containing But

• All but: Nearly; almost.

• But for: If it were not for; except for.

• But then: On the other hand; however.

• No ifs, ands, or buts: No excuses or objections.

• Nothing but: Only; solely.

• Last but not least: Important despite being mentioned last.

• But of course: Expressing something obvious or expected.

• Easy come, easy go, but that's life: Acknowledging the transient nature of things.

• There's no but about it: Used to emphasize a definitive statement, meaning there are no exceptions or further arguments.

• Anything but: Definitely not.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of but from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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