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Persian Learner Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

The usage of 'but'.

Hi. I learned that the conjunction 'but' is used to contrast between two clauses.

Regarding to the following sentence, I can't see a contrast between two ideas:

"Three common phobias are fear of heights, fear of being enclosed in a small area, and fear of being in a large open area.[ It is not logical to be afraid of these things when there is no danger, but a phobia is not logical.]"

could anyone figure it out for me please?
  

Top answer

The contrast is of ideas: It is not logical to be afraid of things when there is danger (and therefore there should be no such things as phobias ) but (there are such things as phobias because) a phobia is not logical.

— Fivejedjon

  • The contrast is of ideas: It is not logical to be afraid of things when there is danger (and therefore there should be no such things as phobias ) but (there are such things as phobias because) a phobia is not logical.
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10 Answers
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The contrast is of ideas:

It is not logical to be afraid of things when there is danger (and therefore there should be no such things as phobias ) but (there are such things as phobias because) a phobia is not logical.
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You mean It is logical to be afraid of things when there is danger, but a phobia is not logical.?

So, can we say that the phrase " when there is no danger" is making the difference?
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Persian LearnerYou mean It is logical to be afraid of things when there is danger,
Just the opposite.

It is not logical to be afraid of these things when there is no danger ( normally true statement), but ( on the other hand) a phobia is not logical.

It is not logical to be afraid of these things when there is no danger, b
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Let's shorten and rephrase it to show by example: To fear things that are not a danger is regarded as being a phobia because the fear is not logical BUT if they are dangerous it is logical to fear them and therefore not a phobia.

It would appear that some hadn't recognised what you were trying to ask - I hope I have?). The "But" serves the purpose you were taught.
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DAvictorIDLet's shorten and rephrase it to show by example: To fear things that are not a danger is regarded as being a phobia because the fear is not logical BUT if they are dangerous it is logical to fear them and therefore not a phobia.
Unfortunately, that's not what the original said.
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Thanks everyone.

Can we add "as well" at the end of the sentence? I think it makes sense better for me this way!

"It is not logical to be afraid of these things when there is no danger, but a phobia is not logical as well"

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I tried to show by example how the conjunction "but" is used (and how it was as he was taught) - it was difficult to do so with the original so, as said, I rephrased to try to answer what I thought was meant. I do believe I managed to say the same thing to make it more understandable by eliminating some confusing waffle.

(The one asking the question indicated he liked it - so perhaps I go
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As you have already described a phobia as not being logical - to carry on and say a phobia is not logical "as well" Is not correct, That "as well" is really saying "also". So you'd be saying "a phobia is not logical, but a phobia is also not logical" (which is obviously not correct)

An exclamation mark could (and perhaps should) be used after the final "logical".
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Persian LearnerIt is not logical to be afraid of these things when there is no danger, but a phobia is not logical.
Compare:

It is not logical for people to believe in ghosts, but people are not logical.

CJ
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