chambers_search-1

Search Chambers

Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

  



Search Tips & Abbreviations

Search results for 'but':

but1 conj 1 contrary to expectation • She fell down but didn't hurt herself. 2 in contrast • You've been to Spain but I haven't. 3 other than • You can't do anything but wait. 4 used to emphasize the word that follows it • Nobody, but nobody, must go in there. prep except • They are all here but him. adverb only • I can but try. noun an objection or doubt • no buts about it • too many ifs and buts. but for were it not for; without • I couldn't have managed but for your help. but that rather formal or old use were it not that; except that • There seemed no explanation but that he had done it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon butan, meaning 'outside of' or 'without', from be by + utan out.

but

Although it is sometimes regarded as poor style, it is not ungrammatical to begin a sentence with but. Indeed, many writers have done so with considerable effect. It is also common in conversation and in forms of English in which a looser grammatical structure is appropriate.