but
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++but1 /bət; strong bʌt/ ●●● S1 W1 conjunction 1 BUTused to connect two statements or phrases when the second one adds something different or seems surprising after the first one 但是，然而 It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable. 这是一辆旧车，但是性能非常可靠。 They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late. 他们急忙赶到医院，但是已经太迟了。 We’ve invited the boss, but she may decide not to come. 我们邀请过老板，但她有可能决定不来。 an expensive but extremely useful book 价钱很贵却是非常有用的一本书 ‘Has he got any experience?’ ‘No, but he’s keen to learn.’ “他有经验吗？”“没有，但他非常好学。”2 BUTused to introduce a statement that explains why the thing you have mentioned did not happen or is not possible 可是〔用于说明某事没有发生或不可能的原因〕 I’d like to go but I’m too busy. 我很想去，可是我太忙了。 They would have married sooner, but they had to wait for her divorce. 他们是想马上结婚的，但是得先等她离婚。3 BUTused after a negative to emphasize that it is the second part of the sentence that is true 而是〔用于否定句之后，强调第二句是真实的〕 He lied to the court not just once, but on several occasions. 他在法庭上撒谎不止一次，而是好多次了。 The purpose of the scheme is not to help the employers but to provide work for young people. 这个计划不是为了帮助雇主，而是为了给年轻人提供工作机会。4 except 除…以外 What can we do but sit and wait? 我们除了坐着等，还能做什么呢？ I had no choice but to accept the challenge. 我别无选择，只有接受挑战。 Not a day goes by but I think of dear old Larry (=I think of him every day). 我没有一天不想念亲爱的老拉里。► see thesaurus at except5 but for a) IFused when you are saying that something would have happened if something or someone else had not prevented it 要不是，若非 But for these interruptions, the meeting would have finished earlier. 要不是几次被打断，会议早就开完了。 The score could have been higher but for some excellent goalkeeping by Simon. 要不是西蒙几次出色的扑救，比分还会更高。 I might never have got to university but for you. 要是没有你的话，我可能永远也上不了大学。 b) except for something or someone 除了 All was silent but for the sound of the wind in the trees. 万籁俱寂，只有风吹树林的沙沙声。6 but then (again) spoken a) BUTused when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have just said 不过，但另一方面 John might be ready to help us, but then again, he might not. 约翰可能愿意帮我们，但也可能不愿意。 You feel really sorry for him. But then again, it’s hard to like him. 你很同情他，可是很难喜欢他。 b) BUTused when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less surprising 不过〔用于补充，使之前说的话不那么令人震惊〕 Dinah missed the last rehearsal, but then she always was unreliable, wasn’t she? 黛娜上次排练没来，不过，她这人一向靠不住，对吗？7 XX spoken used when you are replying to someone and expressing strong feelings such as anger, surprise etc 嘿，天哪〔用于回复某人，表示强烈的情感，如愤怒、惊讶等〕 But that’s marvellous news! 喔，这真是好消息啊！ ‘They won’t even discuss the problem.’ ‘But how stupid!’ “他们甚至都不会讨论这个问题。”“那真是愚蠢啊！”8 somebody cannot but do something formalCAN used to say that someone has to do something or cannot stop themselves from doing it 某人不得不做某事；某人禁不住要做某事9 spoken used when disagreeing with someone 可是 〔用来提出异议〕10 EMPHASIZE spoken used to emphasize a word or statement 〔用来加强词语或陈述的语气〕11 INTRODUCE spoken used to change the subject of a conversation 无论如何，反正，好〔用于改变话题〕12 spoken used after expressions such as ‘Excuse me’ and ‘I’m sorry’ 〔用于excuse me和I’m sorry等后面〕 THESAURUSbut conjunction used when linking two words or phrases that seem opposite or very different in meaning. Don’t use but at the beginning of a sentence in written English 但是，然而〔用于连接两个意思相反或不同的单词或短语；书面语中不要用于句首〕The plant’s leaves are big, but its flowers are quite small. 这种植物叶子很大，但花很小。Her books are fascinating but often rather disturbing. 她的书妙趣横生，但也往往令人不安。nMany French dishes are basically simple, but they can take a long time to prepare.nMost of us value human life, but but some people think of animals as being equally important.although conjunction used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence 虽然，尽管〔用于比较同一句子中的两个分句〕Although you are in the middle of the city, you feel as if you are in the countryside. 虽然你是在市中心，却有身处乡间的感觉。nThe windmill is still in good working order, although it has not been used since the 1950s.I enjoyed German although I wasn’t very good at it. 我喜欢德语，虽然我说得不好。nAlthough lack of sleep causes some problems, it has a relatively small effect on performance at work.however conjunction used when saying something that seems different or surprising after your previous statement. It is usually used in the middle of a sentence, separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. It can also come at the beginning 不过，但是〔一般用于句中，以逗号隔开，也可以用于句首〕Jack and his family managed to escape before the soldiers arrived. Other families in the village, however, were less lucky. 杰克和他家人赶在士兵到来之前逃走了，但其他人家就没那么幸运了。nTheir economy was incredibly successful in the 1980s. Since then, however, there has been a big rise in unemployment.The town is a long way from the nearest big city. However, there is a good bus service. 该镇离最近的大城市很远，不过坐公共汽车很方便。nHe began his academic career as a mathematician. However, his main achievements were in the field of nuclear physics.nevertheless/nonetheless conjunction used when saying something that seems different or surprising after your previous statement. It is used at the beginning or end of a sentence 然而，尽管如此〔用于句首或句末〕nA series of studies 20 years ago suggested that there was a link between watching violent films and violent behaviour. Nevertheless, the results remain highly controversial.It was certainly a terrible accident. Nevertheless, air travel is still the safest form of transport. 那次事故的确很可怕，不过乘飞机旅行仍然是最安全的交通方式。The weather turned bad early in the day, but the festival was a great success nonetheless. 那天一大早天气很糟，尽管如此，节庆活动仍然非常成功。nIt was very hard digging in the dry ground, but the work was satisfying nevertheless.while/whereas /weərˈæz/ conjunction used when making comparisons and saying that something is true of one person, thing, or situation, but it is different for another. They are used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence 然而，可是 〔用于比较同一句子中的两个分句〕nTaxes make up 62% of the price of a litre of petrol in France, whereas in Britain, the tax is 75%.Some people visit their doctor once every few weeks, while others may not visit a doctor for several years. 有些人隔几周就去看一趟医生，但也有些人可能好几年都不看一次。Whereas in most of the world they drive on the right, in the UK and Japan they drive on the left. 世界上大部分地方都是靠右行驶，但在英国和日本则是靠左行驶。by contrast formal used when making comparisons and saying that a person, thing, or situation is very different from the one you have just mentioned. It is used when referring back to the previous sentence 相反，相比之下〔用于重提前句中的人、事物或情况并作比较〕The surface temperature on Venus is higher than the boiling point of water. Mars, by contrast, is very cold. 金星的表面温度要高于水的沸点，相反火星表面则非常寒冷。nA report by the FBI shows that 26% of female murder victims in 1995 were killed by their husbands or boyfriends. By contrast, only 3% of male victims were killed by their wives or girlfriends.
Examples from the Corpus
but• Excuse me, but aren't you Julie's sister?• She tried to read the message, but couldn't.• Mom hated the movie, but Dad thought it was good.• Tom's grandfather is over 80, but he still plays golf.• Carla was supposed to come tonight, but her husband needed the car.• That's why I've been so busy. But how are you, anyway?• Cara's going to the concert, but I'm not.• "Gone with the Wind' was a great movie, but it was a little long.• In the US it is normal for the police to carry guns, but not in Britain.• But now to the main issue.• They struggled in the first half, but still won 98-82.• I called but there was no one there.• We had no alternative but to fire him.• They aren't doing this to make money, but to help the church.• It's an expensive but very useful book.• He's short and not really handsome, but women still find him attractive.• I'm sorry, but you can't smoke in here.but2 ●●● S2 W3 preposition 1 BUTapart from 除…以外 SYN except2 the last but one/the next but two etc especially British EnglishBUT the last or next thing or person except for one, two etc 倒数第二/相隔两个等Examples from the Corpus
but• There was nothing left but a few dried up sandwiches.• Anyone but Tommy would have realized I was trying to apologize.• I can come and see you any day but Tuesday.but3 adverb BUTonly 只能，仅仅 This is but one example of what can happen when things go badly wrong. 倒霉的时候就会发生这样的事，这只不过是其中一例。 It’s going to be difficult. Anyway, we can but try. 这将会很难，但是无论如何，我们只能试试。 We have relationships of many different sorts – with our children, our parents, our boss and our friends, to name but a few. 我们有各式各样的人际关系——和子女的关系、和父母的关系、和老板的关系以及和朋友的关系，这些只是其中的几类。Examples from the Corpus
but• Yes, it's all go on the rumour exchange and let me stress that these are but a few of the juiciest.• They're rich, but I mean rich!• This was but one of Cora-Beth's surprises.• You can but try.but4 /bʌt/ noun buts [plural] spokenCERTAINLY/DEFINITELY reasons that someone gives for not doing something or agreeing with something 借口，托辞 ‘I don’t want to hear any buts, ’ Jo snapped. “我不想听什么借口。”乔没好气地说。 He is the best player – no ifs, ands, or buts about that. 他是最好的球员——这一点是毫无疑问的。Origin but1 Old English butan “outside, without, except”but1 conjunction →THESAURUS1but2 prepositionbut3 adverbbut4 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
to two statements Corpus phrases connect or when used
but
but1 S1 W1 /bət; strong bʌt/ 
conjunction
It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable.
They rushed to the hospital, but they were too late.
We’ve invited the boss, but she may decide not to come.
an expensive but extremely useful book
‘Has he got any experience?’ ‘No, but he’s keen to learn.’
2. used to introduce a statement that explains why the thing you have mentioned did not happen or is not possible:
I’d like to go but I’m too busy.
They would have married sooner, but they had to wait for her divorce.
3. used after a negative to emphasize that it is the second part of the sentence that is true:
He lied to the court not just once, but on several occasions.
The purpose of the scheme is not to help the employers but to provide work for young people.
4. except:
What can we do but sit and wait?
I had no choice but to accept the challenge.
Not a day goes by but I think of dear old Larry (=I think of him every day).
5. but for
a. used when you are saying that something would have happened if something or someone else had not prevented it:
But for these interruptions, the meeting would have finished earlier.
The score could have been higher but for some excellent goalkeeping by Simon.
I might never have got to university but for you.
b. except for something or someone:
All was silent but for the sound of the wind in the trees.
6. but then (again) spoken
a. used when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have just said:
John might be ready to help us, but then again, he might not.
You feel really sorry for him. But then again, it’s hard to like him.
b. used when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less surprising:
Dinah missed the last rehearsal, but then she always was unreliable, wasn’t she?
7. spoken used when you are replying to someone and expressing strong feelings such as anger, surprise etc:
But that’s marvellous news!
‘They won’t even discuss the problem.’ ‘But how stupid!’
8. somebody cannot but do something formal used to say that someone has to do something or cannot stop themselves from doing it:
I could not but admire her.
9. spoken used when disagreeing with someone:
‘It was a good idea.’ ‘But it didn’t work.’
10. spoken used to emphasize a word or statement:
It’ll be a great party – everyone, but everyone, is coming.
They’re rich, but I mean rich.
11. spoken used to change the subject of a conversation:
But now to the main question.
But tell me, are you really planning to retire?
12. spoken used after expressions such as ‘Excuse me’ and ‘I’m sorry’:
Excuse me, but I’m afraid this is a no-smoking area.
▪ but conjunction used when linking two words or phrases that seem opposite or very different in meaning. Don’t use but at the beginning of a sentence in written English: The plant’s leaves are big, but its flowers are quite small. | Her books are fascinating but often rather disturbing. | Many French dishes are basically simple, but they can take a long time to prepare. | Most of us value human life, but but some people think of animals as being equally important.
▪although conjunction used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence: Although you are in the middle of the city, you feel as if you are in the countryside. | The windmill is still in good working order, although it has not been used since the 1950s. | I enjoyed German although I wasn’t very good at it. | Although lack of sleep causes some problems, it has a relatively small effect on performance at work.
▪however conjunction used when saying something that seems different or surprising after your previous statement. It is usually used in the middle of a sentence, separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. It can also come at the beginning: Jack and his family managed to escape before the soldiers arrived. Other families in the village, however, were less lucky. | Their economy was incredibly successful in the 1980s. Since then, however, there has been a big rise in unemployment. | The town is a long way from the nearest big city. However, there is a good bus service. | He began his academic career as a mathematician. However, his main achievements were in the field of nuclear physics.
▪nevertheless/nonetheless conjunction used when saying something that seems different or surprising after your previous statement. It is used at the beginning or end of a sentence: A series of studies 20 years ago suggested that there was a link between watching violent films and violent behaviour. Nevertheless, the results remain highly controversial. | It was certainly a terrible accident. Nevertheless, air travel is still the safest form of transport. | The weather turned bad early in the day, but the festival was a great success nonetheless. | It was very hard digging in the dry ground, but the work was satisfying nevertheless.
▪whereas /weərˈæz/ /while conjunction used when making comparisons and saying that something is true of one person, thing, or situation, but it is different for another. They are used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence: Taxes make up 62% of the price of a litre of petrol in France, whereas in Britain, the tax is 75%. | Some people visit their doctor once every few weeks, while others may not visit a doctor for several years. | Whereas in most of the world they drive on the right, in the UK and Japan they drive on the left.
▪by contrast formal used when making comparisons and saying that a person, thing, or situation is very different from the one you have just mentioned. It is used when referring back to the previous sentence: The surface temperature on Venus is higher than the boiling point of water. Mars, by contrast, is very cold. | A report by the FBI shows that 26% of female murder victims in 1995 were killed by their husbands or boyfriends. By contrast, only 3% of male victims were killed by their wives or girlfriends.
but2 S2 W3 preposition
1. apart from
SYN except:
I could come any day but Thursday.
There’s no one here but me.
I could still see nothing but the spirals of desert dust.
He was unable to swallow anything but liquids.
2. the last but one/the next but two etc especially British English the last or next thing or person except for one, two etc:
Pauline and Derek live in the next house but one (=they live two houses away from us).
but3 S2 W3 adverb
only:
This is but one example of what can happen when things go badly wrong.
It’s going to be difficult. Anyway, we can but try.
We have relationships of many different sorts – with our children, our parents, our boss and our friends, to name but a few.
but4 /bʌt/ noun
buts [plural] spoken reasons that someone gives for not doing something or agreeing with something:
‘I don’t want to hear any buts,’ Jo snapped.
He is the best player – no ifs, ands, or buts about that.
| I |
conjunction Language: Old English
Origin: butan 'outside, without, except'
1. used to connect two statements or phrases when the second one adds something different or seems surprising after the first one:Origin: butan 'outside, without, except'
2. used to introduce a statement that explains why the thing you have mentioned did not happen or is not possible:
3. used after a negative to emphasize that it is the second part of the sentence that is true:
4. except:
5. but for
a. used when you are saying that something would have happened if something or someone else had not prevented it:
b. except for something or someone:
6. but then (again) spoken
a. used when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have just said:
b. used when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less surprising:
7. spoken used when you are replying to someone and expressing strong feelings such as anger, surprise etc:
8. somebody cannot but do something formal used to say that someone has to do something or cannot stop themselves from doing it:
9. spoken used when disagreeing with someone:
10. spoken used to emphasize a word or statement:
11. spoken used to change the subject of a conversation:
12. spoken used after expressions such as ‘Excuse me’ and ‘I’m sorry’:
| THESAURUS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
| II |
preposition1. apart from
SYN except:
2. the last but one/the next but two etc especially British English the last or next thing or person except for one, two etc:
| III |
adverbonly:
| IV |
nounbuts [plural] spoken reasons that someone gives for not doing something or agreeing with something:
Conceding a point and making a counter-argument 承认一个观点的正确性，并提出一个对立的观点
◆ While the film is undoubtedly too long, it isnevertheless an intriguing piece of cinema.虽然这部电影的确太长了，但它不失为一部有趣的影片。 ◆ It can be argued that the movie is too long. It isnonetheless an intriguing piece of cinema.可以认为这部电影太长了，但它不失为一部有趣的影片。 ◆ The film is undoubtedly too long. Still , it is an intriguing piece of cinema.这部电影的确太长了，但它仍不失为一部有趣的影片。 ◆ Of course , huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie,but it isnevertheless a successful piece of storytelling.当然，为了制作一部两小时的电影，该书中的大部分内容都被舍弃了，不过它仍不失为一部成功的故事片。 ◆ Critics are wrong to argue that the film's plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists,but audiences will have no difficulty following them.批评家认为这部电影的情节过于复杂，这种观点是不恰当的。影片中确实有几次大的情节变化，但观众还是不难看懂的。 ◆ It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script,but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent film.的确，没有好的剧本不可能拍出好的电影，但有天赋的导演能将较好的剧本制作成非常好的电影，这一点也是没有疑问的。 ◆ It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns,but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre.这两部电影是否预示着西部片新时代的来临还有待观察。但是毫无疑问，它们作为这一电影类型的新作而受到欢迎。
