but /bʌt, bʌt/ star5 CET4 TEM4

• 1.  

  CONJ（连词） You use but to introduce something that contrasts with what you have just said, or to introduce something that adds to what you have just said. 但是

  例：

  "You said you'd stay till tomorrow."—"I know, Bel, but I think I would rather go back."

  “你说过要待到明天。” — “我知道，贝尔，但我想我还是要回去。”

• 2.  

  CONJ（连词） You use but when you are about to add something further in a discussion or to change the subject. 但是

  例：

  After three weeks, they gradually reduced their sleep to about eight hours. But another interesting thing happened.

  3周后，他们把睡眠时间逐渐缩短到8小时。但是另一件有趣的事发生了。

• 3.  

  CONJ（连词） You use but after you have made an excuse or apologized for what you are just about to say. (表示歉意) 不过

  例：

  Please excuse me, but there is something I must say.

  请原谅，不过有件事我必须说一下。

• 4.  

  CONJ（连词） You use but to introduce a reply to someone when you want to indicate surprise, disbelief, refusal, or protest. 可是[情感]

  例：

  "I don't think I should stay in this house."—"But why?"

  “我想我不应该再呆在这栋房子里了” — “可这是为什么？”

• 5.  

  PREP（介词） But is used to mean "except." 除了 [n PREP n]

  例：

  Europe will be represented in all but two of the seven races.

  7场比赛中除了2场之外, 都将有欧洲的代表参加。

• 6.  

  ADV（副词） But is used to mean "only." 仅仅 [正式]

  例：

  Zach insists that he is but one among many who are fighting for equality.

  扎克坚持认为他仅仅是许多为平等而战的人们中的一个。

• 7.  

  PHRASE（习语） You use but for to introduce the only factor that causes a particular thing not to happen or not to be completely true. 要不是

  例：

  ...the small square below, empty but for a dirty white van and a clump of palm trees.

  …下面那个小小的、要不是有一辆肮脏的白色货车和一丛棕榈树将空无一物的广场。

• 8.  

  PHRASE（习语） You use but then or but then again before a remark which slightly contradicts what you have just said. 不过话说回来

  例：

  My husband spends hours in the bathroom, but then again so do I.

  我丈夫总在浴室泡数小时，不过话说回来，我也一样。

• 9.  

  PHRASE（习语） You use but then before a remark which suggests that what you have just said should not be regarded as surprising. 不过

  例：

  He was a fine young man, but then so had his father been.

  他是个不错的年轻人，不过他父亲也曾是这样。

• 10.  

  （） all but →see all
• 11.  

  （） anything but →see anything