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Satokos Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

What does "but" mean?

I found a sentence in a grammar book:
"Who should I see but my old friend Peter?"

This sentence is used to explain "should", but there is no explanation about "but".
What does this "but" mean in this sentence?
  

Top answer

'But' = except, other than. Who should I see but? = Which unexpected person did I see?

— Mister Micawber

  • 'But' = except, other than.
  • Who should I see but?
  • = Which unexpected person did I see?
  • It is a set phrase and therefore not a very good example for the use of 'should'.
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3 Answers
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'But' = except, other than. Who should I see but? = Which unexpected person did I see? It is a set phrase and therefore not a very good example for the use of 'should'.
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Thank you very much for your answer.
So I think "I didn't expect to see him at all. I was really surprised!" may be the same expression, right?
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