Anything after the word but - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

Building up your vocabulary is essential when you are learning a second language. In this English lesson, let’s look at the difference between nothing but and anything but. This will help you in your everyday English conversations, as well as on English tests such as the TOEIC exam.

I’ve had nothing but trouble with my laptop. It’s always breaking down. It is anything but reliable. I think it is time for a new one. When we use the word but after nothing and anything, there is a special meaning for each collocation. Today, I’m going to teach you how to use these useful phrases in English.

Nothing but means a lot of. The grammar is nothing but + noun (or) nothing but + noun phrase. We often use nothing but when we complain about something or talk about the negative aspects of something, but you can use nothing but when we talk about positive situations or things:

Jack’s son is nothing but trouble. Jack’s son always causes problems.
We had nothing but problems on our vacation. We had a lot of problems on our vacation.
I have nothing but good things to say about my new job. I like my new job!

Anything but means entirely not. The grammar is usually anything but + adjective and sometimes anything + noun. We generally use anything but when we complain about something or talk about the negative aspects of something:

His story was anything but true.
Jack was anything but on time for work.
I was anything but happy to hear that news from her.

Keep in mind the best way to remember this or any vocabulary in English is to take the word or phrase write it in a sentence that’s true for you or true in your world and then memorize your sentences.

You can even take your sentences and write them in the comments below. I would love to see your examples. And if you really want help with vocabulary, sign up for my free vocabulary workshop (see below).

If you know anyone who might be interested in this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them. Thanks for studying today!

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Источник

Hey everyone!
According to the English grammar, after the word ‘but’ we need to use a bare infinitive e.g. They do nothing

but

watch TV all day.
However, in the expression ‘I have no choice but…’ we need to use a full infinitive after ‘but’ e.g. I have no choice

but

to fire you.
Whyyyy? :'(

I think it’s because the verb is ‘to choose to do something‘ so we retain the «to».
In comparison if we choose an object, for example, there is no «to» i.e. He chose all but the blue balls.

Hmm, so the key word here is ‘choice’, not ‘but’… I see!
Thanks for the help! Much appreciated!

According to the English grammar, after the word ‘but’ we need to use a bare infinitive e.g. T

Where did you read this?

Hey everyone!
According to the English grammar, after the word ‘but’ we need to use a bare infinitive e.g. They do nothing

but

watch TV all day.
However, in the expression ‘I have no choice but…’ we need to use a full infinitive after ‘but’ e.g. I have no choice

but

to fire you.
Whyyyy? :'(

According to the English grammar? No, not really. There is nothing special about the word «but» that would require the use of the bare infinitive. What happens is this: «to» is a syntactic marker; its job is to mark the verb as «infinitive.» That’s it. And that happens because English morphology is rather weak. Whereas in other languages the «infinitive» is depicted through verb endings, English relies on «to;» it is this «marker» that tells us the verb is an «infinitive.»

And then, well, language evolves as it does. In some places, the «to» has been lost. For example, we use the infinitive without «to» (the «bare infinitive») after modal verbs (I may go; She must come), after «sense» verbs (I see her dance; I heard him sing), imperatives (Watch tv all day!) and in «mandative constructions» (They demand that she watch tv all day. This use of the infinitive is what some call «subjunctive.»). In addition, the bare infinitive is commonly used with «lexical» do (They do nothing but watch tv all day; All she does is watch tv all day). In some cases, «to» is optional; some people add it, others don’t: I have no choice but (to) fire you.

Unfortunately, when it comes to «optional to,» there are no «rules» that tell you when to use it, and when not to.

Hey everyone!
According to the English grammar, after the word ‘but’ we need to use a bare infinitive e.g. They do nothing

but

watch TV all day.
However, in the expression ‘I have no choice but…’ we need to use a full infinitive after ‘but’ e.g. I have no choice

but

to fire you.
Whyyyy? :'(

It takes four things to make the bare infinitive work in the sentence about TV: (1) A form of the transitive verb do other than doing, (2) a direct object of it that refers to an unnamed «thing» (e.g. nothing), (3) but meaning «except» (except, though it means the same thing here as but, does not work as well), and a bare infinitive, with its complements, that predicates an action, or something like an action. For example, «They do nothing but be lazy» does not work, since «be lazy» is not action-like enough.

In the other sentence, you have but meaning «except», and an action «to fire you», but no transitive do and no unnamed «thing».

Similar structures that work with do + an unnamed «thing» and an action in the form of a bare infinitive (plus complements) involve a relative clause and a finite form of the verb be (e.g. «All he ever did was watch TV all day»).

There are probably several language concepts in play here, but one of them seems to be the combining or compounding of several main clauses.

They do nothing

but

watch TV all day.

This sentence combines «They do nothing. They watch TV all day.» and this calls for eliding the subject and/or verb:
They do nothing but [they] watch TV all day.
The verbs do and watch are governed by the same subject and should have the same form (for symmetry reasons?)

Some other forums show that «They are doing nothing but watching TV all day» is correct and idiomatic. And that fits into my theory because it expands to: «They are doing nothing but [they are] watching TV all day.»

This also explains why to-infinitive is not possible here. («They to watch TV» is ungrammatical)

Of course, this is not a one-covers-all concept. In an infinitive clause used as subject or object clause, the to-infinitive is required:
It is unacceptable to watch TV all day / To watch TV all day is unacceptable. :tick:
It is unacceptable watch TV all day / Watch TV all day is unacceptable. :cross:

Remember also that to can be short for in order to and in order to takes the bare infinitive.

To go left turn the wheel anticlockwise, but to go right turn it clockwise.

The construction after but is determined by many factors.

There are probably several language concepts in play here, but one of them seems to be the combining or compounding of several main clauses.

This sentence combines «They do nothing. They watch TV all day.» and this calls for eliding the subject and/or verb:
They do nothing but [they] watch TV all day.
The verbs do and watch are governed by the same subject and should have the same form (for symmetry reasons?)
…

The sentence in question does not say «They do nothing», and «but» is not a coordinating conjunction here. This «but» means «except», and this structure allows the bare infinitive «watch», regardless of the subject or the tense. Compare the structure with different forms of «do», for example «do», «did», «does», «

does

do», and «done»:

«They do nothing but watch TV all day» = «They do nothing except that they watch TV all day» = «They do nothing except for watching TV all day» = «All they do is watch TV all day» = «The only thing they do is watch TV all day.»

«They did nothing but watch TV all day» = «They did nothing except that they watched TV all day» = «They did nothing except for watching TV all day» = «All they did is/was watch TV all day» = «The only thing they did is/was watch TV all day.»

«He does nothing but watch TV all day» = «He does nothing except that he watches TV all day» = «He does nothing except for watching TV all day» = «All he does is watch TV all day» = «The only thing he does is watch TV all day.»

«He really

does

do nothing but watch TV all day» = «He really

does

do nothing except that he watches TV all day» = «He really

does

do nothing except for watching TV all day» = «All he

does

do really is watch TV all day» = «The only thing he really

does

do is watch TV all day.»

«He has done nothing but watch TV all day» = «He has done nothing except that he has watched TV all day» = «He has done nothing except for watching TV all day» = «All he has done is to watch TV all day» = «The only thing he has done is to watch TV all day.»

The bare infinitive «watch» is the best choice in this construction with «do» (present tense plural, or infinitive), «did», and «does». «Done» (the past participle) often works with the bare infinitive too, but it sometimes works better with «to».

«Doing», whether participle or gerund, is really an exception. It tends to work best with the gerund and does not work with the bare infinitive:

He is doing nothing but watch TV all day.»
He is doing nothing but watching TV all day.»
He is not into doing anything but watch TV all day.
He is not into doing anything but watching TV all day.
The man doing nothing but watch TV all day is ….
The man doing nothing but watching TV all day is ….

Last edited: Jan 24, 2020

I read this rule in an English grammar book that goes like this: After words like and, or, but, except, than, rather than, we need to use a bare infinitive. For example, I want to eat something and go to bed, He does nothing all day but/except watch TV. Also, in a dictionary I found this example for ‘rather than’: Rather than miss the weekend she worked overtime.
But then as I was doing an exercise, I came across this sentence: He has no choice but to train hard. I got pretty confused and that’s when I thought I should ask for help on here.
Oh, another ‘example’ that confused me is that lyric from George Michael’s Careless Whisper song that says ‘Should have known better than to cheat a friend’… to + infinitive after ‘than’… Anyway, that’s all!

Last edited: Jan 26, 2020

There are probably several language concepts in play here, but one of them seems to be the combining or compounding of several main clauses.

This sentence combines «They do nothing. They watch TV all day.» and this calls for eliding the subject and/or verb:
They do nothing but [they] watch TV all day.
The verbs do and watch are governed by the same subject and should have the same form (for symmetry reasons?)

Some other forums show that «They are doing nothing but watching TV all day» is correct and idiomatic. And that fits into my theory because it expands to: «They are doing nothing but [they are] watching TV all day.»

This also explains why to-infinitive is not possible here. («They to watch TV» is ungrammatical)

Of course, this is not a one-covers-all concept. In an infinitive clause used as subject or object clause, the to-infinitive is required:
It is unacceptable to watch TV all day / To watch TV all day is unacceptable.
It is unacceptable watch TV all day / Watch TV all day is unacceptable.

Thank you for the help.

According to the English grammar? No, not really. There is nothing special about the word «but» that would require the use of the bare infinitive. What happens is this: «to» is a syntactic marker; its job is to mark the verb as «infinitive.» That’s it. And that happens because English morphology is rather weak. Whereas in other languages the «infinitive» is depicted through verb endings, English relies on «to;» it is this «marker» that tells us the verb is an «infinitive.»

And then, well, language evolves as it does. In some places, the «to» has been lost. For example, we use the infinitive without «to» (the «bare infinitive») after modal verbs (I may go; She must come), after «sense» verbs (I see her dance; I heard him sing), imperatives (Watch tv all day!) and in «mandative constructions» (They demand that she watch tv all day. This use of the infinitive is what some call «subjunctive.»). In addition, the bare infinitive is commonly used with «lexical» do (They do nothing but watch tv all day; All she does is watch tv all day). In some cases, «to» is optional; some people add it, others don’t: I have no choice but (to) fire you.

Unfortunately, when it comes to «optional to,» there are no «rules» that tell you when to use it, and when not to.

to cheat

a friend’… to + infinitive after ‘than’… Anyway, that’s all!

I have no alternative but to disagree with the writer of that book.

I have no alternative but to disagree with the writer of that book.

I understand Thank you for your input. Oh, and I see what you did there (no alternative but

to disagree

? Ah, this is going to drive me nuts!)

I understand Thank you for your input. Oh, and I see what you did there (no alternative but

to disagree

? Ah, this is going to drive me nuts!)

There’s no need to let it do that. Just ignore that stipulation and/or get a different book.

I’m afraid English is too complicated a language to be subject to such pervasive rules. Try to remember the forms of the individual correct sentences. I think that is what people do when they learn a language. Only a few rules are really helpful: certainly that has been my experience learning foreign languages.

In some cases, «to» is optional; some people add it, others don’t: I have no choice but (to) fire you.

I would say that it definitely isn’t optional in this case.

I have no choice but fire you.
I could not but fire you. (Old-fashioned, don’t use it.)
I have no choice but to fire you.

Thomas Tompion, as always, has given you some very good advice.

There’s no need to let it do that. Just ignore that stipulation and/or get a different book.

I’m afraid English is too complicated a language to be subject to such pervasive rules. Try to remember the forms of the individual correct sentences. I think that is what people do when they learn a language. Only a few rules are really helpful: certainly that has been my experience learning foreign languages.

Will do. Thank you.

Источник

In the English language, the word “but” is also used for multiple purposes. It can serve as a conjunction, a preposition, an adverb, or a noun in sentences.

Conjunction

This word is commonly categorized under conjunctions because it can connect two clauses together and form a single sentence. In the sample sentence below:

She stumbled but didn’t fall.

The word “but” links together the clauses “she stumbled” and “didn’t fall,” and is therefore considered as a conjunction.

Definition:

a. used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned

Example:
He was called, but he did not answer.

b. used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated

Example:
One cannot but sympathize with the old man.

2. Preposition

Sometimes, the word “but” is classified as a preposition that means “except.” It is commonly used after the words all, any, no, every, none, nothing, etc. In the sample sentence below:

This is nothing but an insult.

The word “but’ is considered as a preposition that means “other than.”

Definition:

a. except; apart from; other than.

Example:
She teaches nothing but ballet all day long.

3. Adverb

In some cases, the word “but” can be used as an adverb that means “merely,” and can modify a verb or an adjective. For instance, in the sample sentence below:

She is but a shadow of her old self.

The word “but” is an adverb that can also mean “nothing but” or “only.”

Definition:

a. no more than; only

Example:
He is but a child.

4. Noun

Other times, this word is also categorized as a noun that refers to an argument against something. Take for example, the sentence below:

There are no buts when it comes to regulations.

In this sentence, the word “but” is used as a noun that also means “objection.”

Definition:

a. a reason someone gives for not doing or agreeing with something

Example:
I told you, no buts.

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Top Definitions
Quiz
Related Content
When To Use
Examples
British
Idioms And Phrases

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

[ buht; unstressed buht ]

/ bʌt; unstressed bət /

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

conjunction

on the contrary; yet: My brother went, but I did not.

except; save: She was so overcome with grief she could do nothing but weep.

unless; if not; except that (followed by a clause, often with that expressed): Nothing would do but that I should come in.

without the circumstance that: It never rains but it pours.

otherwise than: There is no hope but by prayer.

that (used especially after doubt, deny, etc., with a negative): I don’t doubt but he will do it.

who not; that not: No leaders worthy of the name ever existed but they were optimists.

(used as an intensifier to introduce an exclamatory expression): But she’s beautiful!

Informal. than: It no sooner started raining but it stopped.

preposition

with the exception of; except; save: No one replied but me.

adverb

only; just: There is but one God.

noun

buts, reservations or objections: You’ll do as you’re told, no buts about it.

VIDEO FOR BUT

These Words Are Guaranteed To Ruin An Apology

For all those apology-givers out there, listen up! These words will cancel out any apology you’re trying to give.

Idioms about but

but for, except for; were it not for: But for the excessive humidity, it might have been a pleasant day.

Origin of but

before 900; Middle English buten,Old English būtan for phrase be ūtan on the outside, without. See by, out

synonym study for but

grammar notes for but

1. But, like and, is a common transitional word and often begins sentences. When it is used in the middle of a sentence as a coordinating conjunction like and or so, it is not followed by a comma unless the comma is one of a pair setting off a parenthetical expression: His political affiliations make no difference, but his lack of ethics does. The cast is nearly complete, but, our efforts notwithstanding, we lack a star. See also and, so¹.
2, 10. When but is understood as a conjunction and the pronoun following it is understood as the subject of an incompletely expressed clause, the pronoun is in the subjective case: Everyone lost faith in the plan but she ( did not lose faith ). In virtually identical contexts, when but is understood as a preposition, the pronoun following it is in the objective case: Everyone lost faith but her. The prepositional use is more common. However, when prepositional but and its following pronoun occur near the beginning of a sentence, the subjective case often appears: Everyone but she lost faith in the plan. See also doubt, than.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH but

but , butt

Words nearby but

busybody, busy Lizzie, busyness, busy signal, busywork, but, butabarbital sodium, butadiene, but and ben, butane, butanoic acid

Other definitions for but (2 of 4)

noun Scot.

the outer or front room of a house; the outer or front apartment in an apartment house.

the kitchen of a two-room dwelling, especially of a cottage.

Origin of but

1715–25; noun use of but¹ (adv.) outside, outside the house

Other definitions for but (3 of 4)

noun plural (especially collectively) but, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) buts.

Other definitions for but (4 of 4)

a combining form meaning “containing a group of four carbon atoms,” used in the formation of compound words: butene.

Origin of but-

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say but?

The conjunction but means “on the contrary,” and is used to indicate contrast or opposition between elements in a sentence. How is but different from however, nevertheless, still, and yet? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Words related to but

although, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, still, though, yet, aside from, barring, disregarding, except, omitting, passing over, without

How to use but in a sentence

And more I cannot explain/but you, from what I did not say/will infer what I do not say.
And there is always the easy-but-true charge of Hollywood hypocrisy.
Sheets of bright-but-not-too-bright blue streaked with thin clouds.
And in those conflicts, the Predator would be all-but-useless.

And we all remember good-but-overpraised songs like If I Had a Hammer and the treacly classic Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
When he first worked her she had the old bee-but boiler, 24 feet in diameter.
Till now one with sudden hiss: «But-good Christ-just look-why, the roof’s leaning—!»
Our friend with his infinite variety and flexibility, we know-but can we put him in?
Eligible single gentlemen pass and repass-but there is no invitation for to inquire within or without.
And again there came to Honoria that ache of longing for the but-half-disclosed glory and fulness of life.

British Dictionary definitions for but (1 of 2)

but¹

/ (bʌt, unstressed bət) /

conjunction (coordinating)

contrary to expectationhe cut his knee but didn’t cry

in contrast; on the contraryI like opera but my husband doesn’t

(usually used after a negative) other thanwe can’t do anything but wait

conjunction (subordinating)

(usually used after a negative) without it happening or being the case thatwe never go out but it rains

(foll by that) except thatnothing is impossible but that we live forever

sentence connector

informal used to introduce an exclamationmy, but you’re nice

preposition

except; savethey saved all but one of the pigs

but for were it not forbut for you, we couldn’t have managed

adverb

just; merely; onlyhe was but a child; I can but try

Scot, Australian and NZ informal though; howeverit’s a rainy day: warm, but

all but almost; practicallyhe was all but dead when we found him

noun

an objection (esp in the phrase ifs and buts)

Word Origin for but

Old English būtan without, outside, except, from be by + ūtan out; related to Old Saxon biūtan, Old High German biūzan

British Dictionary definitions for but (2 of 2)

noun

the outer room of a two-roomed cottage: usually the kitchen

preposition, adverb

in or into the outer part (of a house)Compare ben 1

Word Origin for but

C18: from but (adv) outside, hence, outer room; see but 1

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with but

In addition to the idioms beginning with but

but for
but good

also see:

all but
all over but the shouting
anything but
can’t help but
close but no cigar
everything but the kitchen sink
it never rains but it pours
last but not least
no ifs or buts
nothing but
sadder but wiser
separate but equal
slow but sure
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
there but for the grace of god

Источник

Commonly used and closely linked phrases like nothing but, anything but, everything but have very subtle differences. It’s good to learn what those differences are and how they affect the sentence you’re writing.

Nothing but should be used when you want nothing other than the word that directly follows “but.” Anything but should be used when you want any one thing except for the word that follows “but.” Everything but should be used when you want everything except for the word that directly follows “but.” It doesn’t always have to refer to words you want, but it can also mean things you have or need.

What Is The Meaning Of “Nothing But”?

Let’s start with “nothing but” as a phrase. We use this when we want nothing else except for the one thing that follows the “but” in the clause. This could be any number of things and is sometimes used as its own saying. Something like “nothing but net” is a common soccer saying where the ball hits the back of the net (a goal is scored). The person saying this isn’t saying they “want” a net, but instead, the ball hit nothing except for the net.

Examples Of How To Use “Nothing But”

Now let’s look at examples of how we’d use “nothing but” in a sentence. This is perhaps the most used one of the three phrases, though you’ll definitely hear all of them in your time learning the language. We find that examples are some of the best ways to learn new tricks and rules about the language, so we feel it’s important to include them for you.

I want nothing but the best for my son.
She wants nothing but ice cream.
Nothing but love can save me now.
He needs nothing but friendship.
What a goal! Nothing but net!

What Is The Meaning Of “Anything But”?

When using “anything but,” we now use the meaning to say that we want anything other than the thing that comes after “but.” Typically, with “anything but,” we’re only referring to one particular item or thing. It’s used as a negative phrase to say that we really don’t want to see or have the thing that follows “but.”

Examples Of How To Use “Anything But”

As we said above, examples will be your best friend when learning the difference between these phrases. Now that we’ve seen “nothing but” in practice, it’s time to look at “anything but” and see what we can do with it. Pay attention to the subtle differences that come with it.

Please don’t leave me! Anything but that.
I want anything but socks for Christmas.
Give me anything but hatred.
We ask for anything but questions.
Anything but snow would be nice for the weather tomorrow!

What Is The Meaning Of “Everything But”?

We’ll finish with the last example of how to use one of these phrases. “Everything but” might seem a little similar to “anything but,” but we use it in a slightly different context. First of all, we typically use it in the same sense but referring to multiple items or objects at once. Rather than just one thing that we’d typically talk about with “anything but.”

Also, with “everything but,” we don’t often talk about things that we want, but rather things that we have or may have forgotten. It’s typically about things in our possession, and we may have misplaced them or forgot to bring them somewhere. You will see it in other contexts, too, and we’ll get to that in the examples section.

You might also like: Everything or Every Thing? Here’s The Difference (+10 Examples)

Examples Of How To Use “Everything But”

Let’s finish up with some examples to help you understand how “everything but” differs from the other two sayings. It’s still a popular saying, though it has its own meaning and is a unique option compared to the other two. Notice how these examples are slightly different in tone and context than the examples for “nothing but” and “anything but.”

He remembered everything but his towel.
We packed everything but our toothbrushes.
I’ll eat everything but the desserts at this buffet.
You give me everything but the one thing I ask for.
She forgot everything but the essentials.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.

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