1. used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned
用於引導與前述內容形成對比的片語或子句
I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
我想去，但我太累了。
It's cheap but effective.
它很便宜但有效。
But Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
but
conjunction
快速理解
What does "But" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "But"?
「but」主要用來表示對比、轉折或例外，是連接兩個相反或不同想法的關鍵字。
- 1
對比與轉折
EN: I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
翻譯: 我想去，但我太累了。
- 2
表示例外
EN: Everyone left but John.
翻譯: 除了約翰，每個人都離開了。
- 3
強調或反駁
EN: But that's not what I meant!
翻譯: 但那不是我的意思！
- 4
用於句首轉折話題
EN: But let's talk about something else.
翻譯: 不過，我們來談點別的吧。
小提醒：注意「but」和「however」的區別。「but」語氣較直接，通常連接同一句中的兩個子句；「however」語氣較正式，常用於句首或句中，用逗號隔開，表示較溫和的轉折。
發音（How to Pronounce "But" in English）
How to pronounce "But" in English?"But" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "But" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“>>. Ideally, we want North Korea to denuclearize, but realistically it won't be easy. Even now, it's adding 15 to 20 nuclear weapons a year.”
(1 out of 870)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "But"?How does "But" change by context?
2. used to indicate an exception or to introduce the only thing that is not included
用於表示例外，或引導唯一未被包含的事物
Everyone but John agreed.
除了約翰，每個人都同意了。
I have no choice but to wait.
我除了等待別無選擇。
3. used after a negative to emphasize that something is definitely true or will definitely happen
用於否定詞之後，強調某事絕對真實或一定會發生
I can't help but think he's lying.
我不得不認為他在說謊。
There's no doubt but that she will succeed.
毫無疑問她會成功。
4. except; apart from
除了；除…之外
We've had nothing but trouble with this car.
這輛車除了麻煩，什麼也沒帶給我們。
He took everything but the book.
他除了那本書，什麼都拿走了。
5. only; just
僅僅；只是
He is but a child.
他只不過是個孩子。
We can but try.
我們只能試試看。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "But"?How to make natural sentences with "But"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| but + clause | 但是，然而 | I wanted to go, but I was too tired. (我想去，但是我太累了。) |
| not only ... but also ... | 不僅...而且... | She is not only intelligent but also very kind. (她不僅聰明，而且非常善良。) |
| but for + noun phrase | 要不是，若非 | But for your help, I would have failed. (要不是你的幫助，我早就失敗了。) |
| nothing but + noun | 只有，只不過是 | He is nothing but a liar. (他只不過是個騙子。) |
| cannot but + V | 不得不，只好 | I cannot but agree with you. (我不得不同意你的看法。) |
| but then (again) | 不過話說回來，然而另一方面 | It's expensive, but then again, the quality is excellent. (這很貴，不過話說回來，品質非常好。) |
| but + to-infinitive (after certain verbs) | 除了...之外別無選擇 | We had no choice but to wait. (我們除了等待別無選擇。) |
| all but + adjective/noun | 幾乎，差不多 | The project is all but finished. (這個專案差不多完成了。) |
用法說明
How is "But" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "But"?
but + V-ing 與 but + to V 的用法
- but + V-ing 通常用於描述一個與前述情況相反或出乎意料的事實或結果，強調實際發生的狀況。
- but + to V 則常用於表達一個目的、意圖或後續動作，特別是在
do nothing but...,have no choice but...等結構中，表示「除了...別無選擇」或「只能...」。 - 在
can't help but...的固定片語中，兩種形式都可能出現（can't help but do / can't help doing），意思相近，都表示「忍不住...」。
對比例句： EN: He tried to fix the computer, but ended up making it worse. 翻譯: 他試著修理電腦，但結果卻把它弄得更糟。
EN:I had no choice but to tell the truth.
翻譯:我除了說實話別無選擇。
總結建議
在表示「結果」時傾向用 but + V-ing；在表示「別無選擇的後續行動」時，則使用 but + to V。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "But" and similar words?How to choose "But" vs alternatives?
but vs however
「but」通常用於連接兩個子句，語氣直接且常用於口語；「however」語氣較正式，常用於書面語，且常以逗號隔開，表示轉折。
but vs yet
「but」表示一般的對比或轉折；「yet」強調預期與結果的對立，常帶有「儘管如此卻仍然…」的語氣。
but vs although
「but」是連接詞，連接兩個對等子句；「although」是從屬連接詞，引導讓步副詞子句，主句才是重點。
口語用法
How is "But" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "But"?
引述
在口語中，but 常用來引述他人的話，表示「可是」、「不過」，帶有轉折或反駁的語氣。
EN: I told him it was a bad idea, but he just wouldn't listen.
翻譯: 我告訴他那是個餿主意，但他就是不聽。
EN:She said she'd be here by five, but it's already six.
翻譯:她說她五點前會到，但現在都六點了。
語氣強調
在句子開頭使用 But...，作為一個強烈的語氣轉折，用來打斷或強調接下來要說的反對意見或驚訝。
EN: But that's impossible! We just saw him an hour ago.
翻譯: 但那不可能啊！我們一小時前才看到他。
EN:But wait, I thought you already agreed to help.
翻譯:但是等等，我以為你已經答應要幫忙了。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，but 有時會作為一個填充詞，類似「呃」、「那個」，不一定有強烈的轉折意義。
EN: So the plan is... but... actually, let me start over.
翻譯: 所以計畫是...那個...其實，讓我重頭說一次。
EN:I was going to the store, but... um... did you need anything?
翻譯:我本來要去商店，但是...呃...你有需要什麼嗎？
注意：以上口語用法在正式寫作（如學術論文、商業報告）中應避免。正式寫作應使用更完整、結構清晰的句子來表達轉折關係，例如使用 however、nevertheless 或重新組織句子結構。
常見短語
What common collocations use "But"?What fixed phrases with "But" should I remember?
not only... but also...
not only [clause/phrase] but also [clause/phrase]
不僅…而且…
nothing but
nothing but [noun]
只有；僅僅是
all but
all but [adjective/noun]
幾乎；差不多
cannot but
cannot but [base verb]
不得不；只能
but then again
[statement], but then again, [contrasting statement]
不過話說回來；但另一方面
but for
but for [noun/phrase]
要不是因為；若非
anything but
anything but [adjective/noun]
一點也不；絕不
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "But"?Which "But" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I like coffee but I don't like tea.
✓I like coffee, but I don't like tea.
在連接兩個獨立子句時，『but』前面通常需要一個逗號。
×Although it was raining, but we went out.
✓Although it was raining, we went out.
『although』和『but』都是連接詞，不能在同一句子中同時使用來表達同一個轉折關係。
×I have but one pen.
✓I have only one pen.
『but』作為副詞表示『only』的用法（如：I have but one pen.）在現代英語中非常正式且少見，學習者容易誤用。在大多數日常情境中，應使用『only』。
×No one but me knows the answer.
✓No one but I knows the answer. (Formal) / No one but me knows the answer. (Informal, widely accepted)
在正式文法中，『but』作為介系詞時，其後的代名詞應使用主格（如 I, he, she），因為它被視為主詞的並列成分。但在非正式口語中，受格（如 me, him, her）已被廣泛接受。學習者應了解此區別。
×I cannot help but to laugh.
✓I cannot help but laugh.
在『cannot help but』這個固定片語中，『but』後面直接接動詞原形，不加『to』。
×He is not a teacher but a doctor.
✓He is not a teacher but a doctor. (Correct, but note the comma usage for emphasis/clarity in longer sentences)
在『not...but...』的對比結構中，當句子較長或需要強調對比時，常在『but』前加上逗號以使語意更清晰。學習者有時會忽略這一點。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "But"?What are tense/participle forms of "But"?