Let’s look at ten ways to use the word but in English.
1.) As a coordinating conjunction, but is used for contrasting ideas. The Spanish translation in this case is pero.
We would like to meet you at the restaurant tonight, but we have already made other plans.
The clause that follows but here is a negation. It explains why the speaker can’t accept the invitation.
2.) Another way that we use but is similar to the first one, but it indicates that we are going to add more information. The second statement is still contrary to the first one, but it doesn’t negate it. An alternative phrase here is save for. In Spanish, we could use salvo or sino.
June loves ice cream, but she doesn’t like vanilla.
June loves ice cream save for vanilla.
June still loves ice cream. The next words don’t change this. She just doesn’t like vanilla.
Watch your punctuation!
Put a comma before but when it is followed by a clause (a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, because there is a subject and verb).
We love candies, but they are unhealthy.
Don’t use a comma to separate single words or phrases that aren’t clauses.
Candies are yummy but unhealthy.
Another way to add information is to use the phrase not only… but also (sino…tambien) to add information.
We had a great time in Italy. We enjoyed not only the architecture but also the food.
You must have been hungry. You ate not only the entre but also three appetizers!
3.) But can also serve as a preposition. When it is used this way, it means apart from, except, or barring. It is equivalent to excepto in Spanish.
The cook made lunch for everyone but me.
We are eating at home every day but Sunday.
4.) But for + noun is a phrase that means if it weren’t for or because of.
But for the distance, we would come to this bistro every weekend.
= If it weren’t for the distance, we would come to the bistro every weekend.
= We don’t come to the bistro every weekend because of the distance.
5.) All but means almost completely.
We were lucky to get a table. The steakhouse was all but full.
6.) Sometimes we use but as an adverb to mean merely, only or simply.
A.) You’ll encounter but as an adverb with can’t help but + verb. There is no direct Spanish translation of the word but in this case. The phrase is no puedo evitar que.
Tammy couldn’t help but cry when she burned her finger on the stove.
I can’t help but notice that you seem hungry.
B.) Here are some other usages of but as merely, only, or simply.
We were so hungry, but there was nothing to do but wait.
The place is but a simple hole-in-the-wall, but the food is amazing.
There is but one correct response.
June is lonely. She has but one friend.
7.) We can repeat something with but before the repetition for emphasis.
Mary want no one, but no one to share the secret family recipe.
This is delicious, but I mean delicious!
8.) Nothing but (something) is a collocation that means only.
Sam wants nothing but the best for his wife’s birthday party.
Juan eats junk food and nothing but.
9.) indefinite pronouns with every/any + but signifies with the exception of. When connected with an indefinite pronoun, but is a preposition.
Everyone but James has paid their share of the bill.
Ann likes everything on the menu but the fish.
Let’s eat anywhere but the burger joint. I’m tired of burgers.
We can grab lunch with you anytime but Thursday.
10.) Finally, there are set expressions with but.
A.) No ifs, ands, or buts = no excuses
I expect this kitchen to be clean from top to bottom. No ifs, ands, or buts!
B.) But for the grace of God (go I).
This is an expression of humility. We use it when we see the misfortunes of others, and know that the same thing could happen to us. We often drop the ending go I from the expression.
Person A: Did you hear about the woman who died in that horrible kitchen fire?
Person B: I did. How terrible. But for the grace of God, right?
Person A: So true. It could happen to anyone.
C.) Everything but the kitchen sink = everything imaginable
We were only going for a casual picnic, but grandma packed the basket with everything but the
kitchen sink.
D.) To hear a but coming = To think someone is about to tell you why they can’t do something, especially something you want them to do.
Person A: I know I said that I’d bake the cake for the birthday party…
Person B: Yes. We are all counting on you.
Person A: You know I love baking and always try to lend a hand.
Person B: I think I hear a but coming.
Person A: Yeah. Sorry about that. The thing is that I’d love to do it, but my oven isn’t working.
E.) last but one = the second to last one
It means that there is this only one and one more left.
We are almost finished doing the interviews for a new hostess. Maria is the last but one.
In Spanish we might use penúltimo/anteúltimo or faltan dos.
Let’s practice!
Complete the sentences with the word but and your own words.
1.) I’d invite you to stay for lunch… (Explain why you won’t.)
2.) I love to eat… (Add more information by excluding something.)
3.) I love this restaurant not only because… but also… (Add two reasons.)
4.) But for… , I would cook more homemade meals. (Add why you don’t.)
5.) I all but… (Talk about a time you were very hungry.)
6.) [Food] is but [ingredients], yet it’s so good! (Talk about a simple food you like.)
7.) [Food] is [adjective], but I mean [adjective]! (Speak passionately about a food.)
8.) The server was nothing but…! (Talk about a time you had terrible service.)
9.) …anything but…/…anyone but…/…anywhere but… (Make statements, then exclude something.)
10.) … No ifs, ands, or buts! (Give an order, then add the expression.)
11.) … But for the grace of God. (Talk about someone’s bad luck, then add the expression.)
12.) … everything but the kitchen sink. (Talk about a time you overdid something.)
13.) I heard a but coming. (Talk about a time you knew someone was about to tell you ‘no’.)
14.) …last but one. (Talk about a time you were so full you had to leave a couple of things on your plate.)
Further Reading
Check out this Cambridge Dictionary article that talks more about the Spanish-English translation of but.
