Pronunciation

/ˈbʌt/

Definitions

Adverb

• Refers to: A word used to introduce a contrasting statement or to show a change in direction or emphasis. It often comes after a coordinating conjunction (e.g., “and,” “but,” “or”) and can also be used to soften a negative statement.

Phrases

• “However” or “on the other hand” can be used to introduce a contrasting thought with “but.”
• “Despite that” is another phrase that introduces a contrast similar to “but.”
• “In contrast” is used to highlight a difference compared to what was previously mentioned.

Example Sentences

• Contrast: “I wanted to go to the beach, but it started raining heavily.”
• Softening: “She’s not very good at math, but she has a great sense of humor.”
• Emphasis: “He failed the exam, but he’s determined to improve.”

Synonyms

• Yet
• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• However
• Still
• Though
• Despite
• But for

Usage Note

“But” is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from simple contrast to more complex sentence structures. It’s important to note that using “but” after a coordinating conjunction like “and” can sound awkward, so it’s more common to find it after “or” or without any conjunction at all.