Other meaning of but

Question

It will take not but a moment.Is this use of but ok? If so, what does but mean here?I thought it may work as "It will take but a moment" where but means only...Your thoughts please Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

English 1b3It will take not but a moment.

Can't win 'em all!

I'm afraid you must choose between the "not" and the "but."

It will take me a moment. This stresses the positive. "It will take me some time - but not too long.

It won't take me a moment. Very little time.
It will take me only a moment. Moderately short time.
It will take me just a moment. Ditto.
It will take me but a moment. Ditto.
It won't take me but a moment. Ditto.

Strange, isn't it?

It will take [ me ] not a moment. Poetic. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.

Best wishes, - A.

Edit, That confused little fellow is "me" in brackets. (fixed -- Tanit :-)

English 1b3 · Answer

AvangiIt won't take me but a moment. Ditto.

AvangiI'm afraid you must choose between the "not" and the "but."

Hi Avangi,

So are you saying it is fine to include both not and but provided it is written the way you have written it, and not the way I did in my first post?

CalifJim · Answer

English 1b3I thought it ~~may~~ might work as "It will take but a moment" where but means only.

It will take not only a moment. No. That doesn't make sense. The combination "not but" is pretty much impossible. Even in cases where "not only" makes sense, you can't just substitute "not but":

Not only the children, but also the adults, enjoyed the film. -- OK.
*Not but the children, but also the adults, enjoyed the film. -- No.

You can have, however,

It won't take but a moment.

But but doesn't mean only here. It's means more than.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AvangiThat confused little fellow is "me" in brackets.

Use spaces thus:

[ me ]

to avoid that problem.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

CalifJimto avoid that problem.

Very much appreciated!

Me is free again!

Avangi · Answer

English 1b3So are you saying it is fine to include both not and but provided it is written the way you have written it, and not the way I did in my first post?

I'll have to refresh my view of the landscape.

English 1b3It will take not but a moment.

AvangiIt won't take me but a moment.

CalifJimThe combination "not but" is pretty much impossible. . . . . . . . .
You can have, however,

It won't take but a moment.

I'm assuming you're asking if the "not" must be in the form of a contraction, but I guess there are other ways to interpret your question.

It will not take me but a moment. (Is this what you're asking about?)

I don't know whether or not Jim's "impossibility" of the combination "not but" requires that one follow the other directly, but let's assume it does.

I heard the contraction a lot growing up, but it was from my parents and grandparents generations, and it was conversational. I can't say for sure that I've heard the uncontracted form, but I don't see offhand why it wouldn't be okay.

Best wishes, - A.

CalifJim · Answer

AvangiI don't know whether or not Jim's "impossibility" of the combination "not but" requires that one follow the other directly, but let's assume it does.

Good assumption. That's what I meant. [Y]

CJ

Other meaning of but

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