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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Why is but used in this sentence?

When I was but a child, my father taught me the art of combat.

Why is 'but' used in this sentence? Shouldn't it read 'When I was a child...'

'But' to me, sounds convoluted and unnecessary but is it apart of a larger grammatical rule I cannot see here?
  

Top answer

Here, but means 'still just' or 'only'. It isn't archaic yet, but it isn't used very much any more in AmEng. Not sure about BrEng.

— Philip

  • Here, but means 'still just' or 'only'.
  • It isn't archaic yet, but it isn't used very much any more in AmEng.
  • Not sure about BrEng.
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2 Answers
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Here, but means 'still just' or 'only'. It isn't archaic yet, but it isn't used very much any more in AmEng. Not sure about BrEng.
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AnonymousWhy is 'but' used in this sentence?
It is poetic. A similar meaning to "when I was just a little child"
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