but for
conjunction
1.
on the contrary; yet: My brother went, but I did not.
2.
except; save: She was so overcome with grief she could do nothing but weep.
3.
unless; if not; except that (followed by a clause, often with that expressed): Nothing would do but that I should come in.
4.
without the circumstance that: It never rains but it pours.
5.
otherwise than: There is no hope but by prayer.
7.
who not; that not: No leaders worthy of the name ever existed but they were optimists.
8.
(used as an intensifier to introduce an exclamatory expression): But she's beautiful!
9.
Informal. than: It no sooner started raining but it stopped.
preposition
10.
with the exception of; except; save: No one replied but me.
00:10
But for
is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
adverb
11.
only; just: There is but one God.
noun
Idioms 12.
buts, reservations or objections: You'll do as you're told, no buts about it.
13.
but for, except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.
14.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English buten, Old English būtan for phrase be ūtan on the outside, without. See by, out
before 900; Middle English buten, Old English būtan for phrase be ūtan on the outside, without. See by, out
Synonyms
1. But, however, nevertheless, still, yet are words implying opposition (with a possible concession). But marks an opposition or contrast, though in a casual way: We are going, but we shall return. However indicates a less marked opposition, but displays a second consideration to be compared with the first: We are going; however (“notice this also” ), we shall return. Nevertheless implies a concession, something which should not be forgotten in making a summing up: We are going; nevertheless (“do not forget that” ), we shall return. Still implies that in spite of a preceding concession, something must be considered as possible or even inevitable: We have to go on foot; still (“it is probable and possible that” ), we'll get there. Yet implies that in spite of a preceding concession, there is still a chance for a different outcome: We are going; yet (“in spite of all, some day” ), we shall return. 2. See except1.
1. But, however, nevertheless, still, yet are words implying opposition (with a possible concession). But marks an opposition or contrast, though in a casual way: We are going, but we shall return. However indicates a less marked opposition, but displays a second consideration to be compared with the first: We are going; however (“notice this also” ), we shall return. Nevertheless implies a concession, something which should not be forgotten in making a summing up: We are going; nevertheless (“do not forget that” ), we shall return. Still implies that in spite of a preceding concession, something must be considered as possible or even inevitable: We have to go on foot; still (“it is probable and possible that” ), we'll get there. Yet implies that in spite of a preceding concession, there is still a chance for a different outcome: We are going; yet (“in spite of all, some day” ), we shall return. 2. See except1.
Usage note
1. But, like and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like and or so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression: His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also and, so1.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she (did not lose faith). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
1. But, like and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like and or so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression: His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also and, so1.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she (did not lose faith). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To but for
Collins
World English Dictionary
but1 (bʌt, (unstressed) bət) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —conj | |
| 1. | contrary to expectation: he cut his knee but didn't cry |
| 2. | in contrast; on the contrary: I like opera but my husband doesn't |
| 3. | (usually used after a negative) other than: we can't do anything but wait |
| —conj | |
| 4. | (usually used after a negative) without it happening or being the case that: we never go out but it rains |
| 5. | ( |
| 6. | archaic if not; unless |
| —sentence connector | |
| 7. | informal used to introduce an exclamation: my, but you're nice |
| —prep | |
| 8. | except; save: they saved all but one of the pigs |
| 9. | but for were it not for: but for you, we couldn't have managed |
| —adv | |
| 10. | just; merely; only: he was but a child; I can but try |
| 11. | informal (Scot), (Austral), (NZ) though; however: it's a rainy day: warm, but |
| 12. | all but almost; practically: he was all but dead when we found him |
| —n | |
| 13. | an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts) |
| [Old English būtan without, outside, except, from be | |
| but2 (bʌt) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen |
| —prep, —adv | |
| 2. | Compare ben in or into the outer part (of a house) |
| [C18: from but (adv) outside, hence, outer room; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
but for
Except for, were it not for. For example, But for the afternoon shower, it was a perfect day, or But for the children, they would have gotten a divorce long ago. [c. 1200]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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