but

but is part of the Basic English 850.

Pronunciation

• enPR: bŭt
• IPA: /bʌt/
• SAMPA: /bVt/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Homophones

• butt

Coordinator

Conjunction but

Coordinator but

1. You use but to join two ideas and show that they are different.

   I would take you there, but I do not have my car.

   The changes were small but important.

   "Do you speak French?" "No, but I speak Spanish."

   It says this not in words but in pictures.

2. You use but to change the topic.

   I understand. And I'm sorry. But there is nothing I can do about it now.

   And that's important, but another thing that has changed it the location.

Preposition

Preposition but

1. except

   He ate everything but the meat.

   Any day but tomorrow would be fine.

   I forgot my bag. I guess there's nothing to do but go back.

Adverb

Positive but

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. only

   There is but one sun and one earth to live on.