Could not but

Hi,

Is this sentence right? Yes. It's rather formally worded.


He could not but raise this issue, if only belatedly, and thus start a debate.

Clive

Sorry to intrude, but, CJ, is this sentence equivalent to

He couldn't do anything except raise this issue, if only...

I don't get the meaning after the full stop however... Can you help, please?

Hi,

Sorry to intrude, but, CJ, You're talking to CJ?

is this sentence equivalent to

He couldn't do anything except raise this issue, if only... Yes

I don't get the meaning after the full stop however... What full stop?

Can you help, please?

Clive

CliveYou're talking to CJ?

Sorry, Had just sent him a post beore this one.

Hi,

He could not but raise this issue, he had to raise this issue

if only belatedly, even if it was rather late to raise it

and thus start a debate. and by raising it, he started a debate

Clive

Thanks, Clive

There were only two words that were slightly strange to me. One was but, which I learned to mean except. The other is the phrase 'if only' for which I managed to find the following to definitions:

a) used to express a strong wish, especially when you know that what you want cannot happen:

If only he had talked to her sooner!


If

Hi,

I can't see your interpretation matching either. Is it the 2nd one?


No.




Think of it as a short form of 'even if it was only belatedly'. It's a slightly literary expression.




Clive