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Geomoon5 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Use of "But"
Would one be correct when using the word "but" the following way:
"...and has much to teach us if we but keep an open mind."
The above usage has a classical and poetic feel to me. I'd like to use that structure for my project, but I'm unsure if it's a correct structure. If any information on that particular usages etiology could also be provided, I'd be additionally appreciative.
Please help,
Thank you!
"...and has much to teach us if we but keep an open mind."
The above usage has a classical and poetic feel to me. I'd like to use that structure for my project, but I'm unsure if it's a correct structure. If any information on that particular usages etiology could also be provided, I'd be additionally appreciative.
Please help,
Thank you!
Top answer
" It's correct, but old-fashioned, I'd say. It seems to me that if we only keep an open mind is more usual. CJ
- " It's correct, but old-fashioned, I'd say.
- It seems to me that if we only keep an open mind is more usual.
- CJ
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2 Answers
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geomoon5"...and has much to teach us if we but keep an open mind."It's correct, but old-fashioned, I'd say.
It seems to me that if we only keep an open mind is more usual.
CJ
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Thank you, CalifJim! The old-fashioned flavor is what I was trying to achieve. It's helpful to me to know the more common structure as well, though. Thank you for contributing your helpful insight.
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