But /yet never eat

Question

but – for contrastI eat cake, but I never eat biscuits; I don’t like them.https://speakspeak.com/resources/english-grammar-rules/conjunctions/coordinating-so-and-but-or-yet-for-nor?ampWhat does contrast mean exactly here?Could you please explain why the conjunction "yet" doesn't work in the above example but "but" works?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

JigneshbharatiWhat does contrast mean exactly here?

I'm not sure we can find a really exact meaning, but 'contrast' is difference, like opposites. Black contrasts with white. Coffee contrasts with tea. In the example you cited, cake and biscuits form a contrast.

JigneshbharatiCould you please explain why the conjunction "yet" doesn't work in the above example but "but" works?

'yet' is probably used less often than 'but'. 'but' is a very common word. But 'yet' is OK for contrast. Who says 'yet' doesn't work in the given example? I'd say it's less usual than 'but', but it's possible. There is somewhat of a tendency to use 'and' with 'yet', but it's optional:

I eat cake, (and) yet I never eat biscuits; I don’t like them.

CJ

But /yet never eat

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