1. 但是，然而，尽管如此　 against what might be expected; in spite of this
2. 另一方面；不过；然而　 on the other hand;yet at the same time
3. 而是　 rather; instead
4. 除…外，只有　except

　The watch was cheap, but it goes quite well.　这块表虽然便宜，但走得很好。
　These changes will cost a lot, but they will save us money in the long run.　这些改动相当花钱，但从长远的角度看会为我们省钱。
　But that's outrageous!　啊，这太可恶了！
　It'll be the event of the year—everyone, but everyone, is coming.　这将是一年中的大事——每个人，对，就是每一个人，都会来。
　I'm sorry, but could you repeat that, please?　对不起，请再说一遍好吗?
　But now to the main question...　好，现在谈谈主要问题…
　She can do anything but sing.　她除了唱歌之外，什么都会做。
　It could do everything but stop.　除了停下来，什么事情都能做。
　He wanted nothing but to stay here.　除了留在这里之外，他别无所求。
　We had no choice but to move.　我们除了迁居别无选择。
　They are but too glad to do so.　他们很高兴这样做。
　Hardly a week passes but I get another good idea.　每过一个星期，我就会想到一个好主意。
　They never meet but they discuss this problem.〔They never meet without discussing this problem.〕　他们每次见面都讨论这个问题。
　Never a month passes but she writes to her old parents.　她没有一个月不给她年老的双亲写信。
　He never comes but he may scold us.　他一来就责骂我们。
　No one is so old but he may learn.〔=No one is so old that he may not learn.〕　活到老，学到老。
　She is not so old but that she can read.　她并未老到不能读书。
　He is not such a fool but that he knows it.　他并非笨得不知道这个。
　There is no man so learned but what he can learn something from this book.　再博学的人都会从本书中学到一些东西。
　I would fail my exams but that the classmates help me with my lesson.　要不是同学们帮助我学习功课，我考试就会不及格。
　We would have avoided making such a mistake, but we didn't follow his sound advice.　我们本来可以不犯这样的错误，只是我们没有接受他的忠告。
　He is extremely strong—not but that he will catch cold at times.　虽然他特别健壮，可是有时也会感冒。
　The purpose of the scheme is not to help the employers but to provide work for young people.　这个计划的目的不是为了帮助雇主，而是为青年人提供工作机会。
　It is not water, but alcohol.　这不是水，而是酒精。
　They want not your pity but your help.　他们不需你的同情，而需要你的帮助。
　Not that the machine is out of order, but that I have not learned to operate it.　不是机器出了故障，而是我还没学会操作。
　Not that I don't like the film, but that I have no time for it.　不是因为我不喜欢这部电影，而是因为我没时间去看。
　There is no doubt (but) that he will win the election.　毫无疑问地，他将在竞选中获胜。
　I have no doubt but that he'll come.　我想他会来的。
　I may be only a servant, but I have my pride.　虽然我是个仆人，但我是有自尊心的。

 ♣ but for
1. 要不是 if there had not been;if it were not for;without
　〔说明〕 but for作此解时，句子的谓语动词多用虚拟式。
　But for the rain we should have had a pleasant journey.　要不是下雨，我们会有一次愉快的旅行。
2. 除…之外 except for
　But for John they all died.　除了约翰大家都死了。
　But for you everyone has helped.　除了你之外，大家都帮忙了。
 ♣ but then (again)
　但是，然而，另一方面　on the other hand
　It's not a very sophisticated computer, but then it only cost a few hundred pounds.　这不是非常尖端的电脑，可是价钱也只几百镑。
　He lost the election, but then (again) never expected to win.　他在竞争中输了，不过他也没指望赢。
 ♣ cannot but
　只好，必须，一定，不能不，不得不　be forced to;can only;must
　When the country calls you for help, you cannot but go.　当祖国需要你的时候，你必须挺身而出。

　除…以外　other than; except

　We go to school every day but Sunday.　我们除了星期日每天都上学。
　He has looked for it everywhere but in his own room.　除了他自己的房间外，他到处都找遍了。
　The problem is anything but easy.　这个问题绝不容易。
　He does everything in the house but putting the children to bed.　除了安排孩子上床睡觉之外，他在家里什么事都做。
　Nobody but him could be so selfish.　除了他之外，谁也不会这样自私。
　Nobody but John and Smith was in the lab yesterday.　除了约翰和史密斯之外，昨天实验室里没有其他人。
　His house is the last but one in this street.　他的房子就是这条街上的倒数第二家。

 ♣ all but
　参见all条。
 ♣ anything but
　参见anything条。
 ♣ none but
　参见none条。
 ♣ nothing but
　参见nothing条。

 ♣ but, except
　参见except条。
 ♣ but, however, how ever, no matter how
　参见however条。

　but　还可用作副词，常见于书面语，与only相似，作“只，仅仅”解。例如：
　He's but a boy.　他只不过是个孩子。

　［同义词］ conj. however, nevertheless, yet
　［词源］古英语butan（除非，除外，但）