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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Learning
Can "but for" be substituted by "except for" in any occasion?
for example:
The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes.
Can I use "except for" instead?
The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes.
Can I use "except for" instead?
Top answer
[nq:1]for example: The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes. [/nq] I would say no. There are situations where you could use either word, but there is a nuance there.
- [nq:1]for example: The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes.
- [/nq] I would say no.
- There are situations where you could use either word, but there is a nuance there.
- "But for" implies that whatever circumstance follows is directly responsible for the result.
- "But for the grace of *** there go I" is an often used phrase for instance.
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4 Answers
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[nq:1]for example: The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes. Can I use "except for" instead?[/nq]
I would say no. There are situations where you could use either word, but there is a nuance there. "But for" implies that whatever circumstance follows is directly responsible for the result.
"But for the grace of *** there go I" is an often used phrase for
I would say no. There are situations where you could use either word, but there is a nuance there. "But for" implies that whatever circumstance follows is directly responsible for the result.
"But for the grace of *** there go I" is an often used phrase for
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hadeshuang writes:
[nq:1]The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes. Can I use "except for" instead?[/nq]
No. "But for" means that the delays prevented the figure from being higher. "Except for" simply means that the delays are an exception to a general rule, which would not make sense here since you are talking about two different things (delays and figures).
[nq:1]The figure would be higher but for delays in the delivery of the planes. Can I use "except for" instead?[/nq]
No. "But for" means that the delays prevented the figure from being higher. "Except for" simply means that the delays are an exception to a general rule, which would not make sense here since you are talking about two different things (delays and figures).
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[nq:1] (snip) Part of the problem is that 'but' is one of those difficult-for-the-ESL-student words that has multiple meanings and usages. It can be a conjunction, a preposition, an adverb, a pronoun or a noun! And there are different usages in each of those categories.[/nq]
Hi, John,
after reading the above passage, I cannot help but wonder how 'But' can be used as an adverb.
Hi, John,
after reading the above passage, I cannot help but wonder how 'But' can be used as an adverb.
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A. Kong | misc.education.language.english in
[nq:1]after reading the above passage, I cannot help but wonder how 'But' can be used as an adverb.[/nq]
How about these?
"He is but a boy."
"You can but try."
where "but" stands for "only" / "just".
-- Enrico C ~ No native speaker
[nq:1]after reading the above passage, I cannot help but wonder how 'But' can be used as an adverb.[/nq]
How about these?
"He is but a boy."
"You can but try."
where "but" stands for "only" / "just".
-- Enrico C ~ No native speaker
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