Grammar use of the word but

The word but is one of the seven coordinating conjunctions in English (the others are and, or, so, for, nor, and yet). It’s used to connect two statements that contrast or contradict each other in some way.

For example, learning English is difficult but fun! But getting into the specifics of such commonly used words can be tricky. This article will answer some questions you may have about how to use but.

When do I use a comma?

According to standard grammar, a comma is used before a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses.

An independent clause is a clause with both a subject and a verb so that it can stand on its own. If the second clause does not contain a subject, then no comma is needed.

• He liked the meal, but not the dessert. (No comma)
• He liked the meal, but didn’t like the dessert. (No comma)
• He liked the meal, but he didn’t like the dessert. (Here, the subject is listed both times, making both clauses independent. A comma is appropriate.)

However, this is a rule that not many native speakers are aware of. Most people will place commas according to where they would naturally make a small pause while speaking.

When do I use “but rather”?

While but can be used to contrast two statements, it can also be used in the construction “not this but that.” For example:

• It wasn’t a drought but more of a dry spell.

This sentence is saying that whatever happened wasn’t a drought. Instead, it was a dry spell. To convey this idea, we use the conjunction but. We could also replace this with the phrase but rather.

• It wasn’t a drought but rather more of a dry spell.

The phrase but rather could also just be a combination of but and rather in their separate usages.

• You’d think he would break up with her face-to-face. But rather than doing that, he decided to do it over the phone. (Here, but is used as a contrast to the previous sentence, not in combination with rather.)

What’s the difference between “but” or “yet”?

But and yet are conjunctions with very similar meanings, and usually, when you can use the word yet, you can replace it with but.

The difference is that yet means something more like “despite that” or “regardless of that.” Grammatically speaking, it has a concessive meaning.

• He’s given her so many red flags, yet she still wants to be with him. (In other words, He’s given her so many red flags. Despite that, she still wants to be with him.)
• I attended every lecture in the class, and yet I still don’t understand anything. (It’s possible to use yet with and, making it more of an adverb than a conjunction.)
• Apparently, she keeps a calendar, yet she always forgets about the plans she makes.

In all these examples, you could probably replace yet with but and still have it make sense.

• He’s given her so many red flags, but she still wants to be with him.
• I attended every lecture in the class, but I still don’t understand anything.
• Apparently, she keeps a calendar, but she always forgets about the plans she makes.

The difference is that but only creates a simple contrast. If you really want to say, “This is true, but none of it really matters because…”, then yet is a much better way to convey that nuance.

When can I use “but” at the beginning of a sentence?

While you may have formally been taught that a sentence can’t begin with a conjunction, the reality is that you can begin any sentence with a conjunction. The two following examples basically mean the same thing:

• I’ll come with you and keep you company if you want. But I’m not going to enjoy it.
• I’ll come with you and keep you company if you want, but I’m not going to enjoy it.

Why make a clause with a conjunction its own separate sentence? It depends on how you like to break up your sentences.

Periods usually convey more of a break between ideas than commas do. You might also want to avoid run-on sentences that use too many commas.

When do I use “but also”?

The phrase but also is similar to but rather, but instead of meaning “not this but that,” it means “not just this but also that.” It’s used to add even more additional information than might be expected.

• They not only spilled beer all over the floor but also broke one of the lamps.
• You’re not just a mother but also a friend.

When using this phrase, be sure to create parallel constructions if you want to be grammatically correct. This means linking phrases of the same kind together.

In the following sentence, the placement of the word only makes it so that it connects nouns together, therefore making it a parallel construction.

• He doesn’t know only Spanish but also Portuguese and Italian.

This next sentence is incorrect because it connects a verb (“to know”) with nouns (“Portuguese and Italian”).

• He not only knows Spanish but also Portuguese and Italian.

When I can I use “but not limited to”?

You can use the phrase including but not limited to when you want to list some items in a category, but you also want to indicate there are many more besides that.

It basically means the same thing as the word including by itself but emphasizes the high amount of things in a given category. Usually, this phrase is found in legal contexts, maybe because the wording is more precise.

• The job involves many tasks, including but not limited to serving customers, checking inventory, cleaning the workspace, and taking phone calls.
• Natural language processing has a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to chatbots, language translation, sentiment analysis, and spell check.
• The book covers many topics, including but not limited to the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and Jim Crow laws.

What’s the difference between “but” and “although”?

This question is tricky because although can have two different usages.

The first is to mean “despite the fact that” or “even though,” which is like saying, “What I’m about to say doesn’t really matter.” In this case, the clause that although introduces will usually come before the main clause.

• Although it was scorching outside, we still decided risk sunburns and go hiking.
• Although I had a test the next morning, I decided to go out with my friends and ended up coming home late.

Then there is the second usage of although, which is to mean the same thing as but, except it tends to indicate more of an afterthought rather than a firm contrast.

This is usually when although comes after the main clause, which is how you’ll be able to tell the difference between the two meanings.

• I really didn’t want to go to the show, although it did end up being somewhat interesting. (This can be like saying, Now that I think about it, it was sort of interesting.)
• Mark’s thinking about transferring schools, although I’m not sure why. I thought he liked it here. (Using although instead of but indicates that the main topic is about Mark, not what the speaker thinks.)

If you want to create a contrast or transition between what you were just talking about and a topic that’s just as important, it might be better to use but instead of although, such as in this sentence:

• Mental illness can be difficult or awkward to talk about, but there are many ways we can be supportive.

The main point is not that mental illness is a difficult subject. Instead, the speaker is trying to transition into a topic they want to talk about. This makes but a much more appropriate choice than although.

What’s the difference between “but” and “except”?

Except (that) is another conjunction that means something similar to but, except it indicates more of an exception than a contrast (I just used it now!).

Maybe you want to state something that’s true except for one detail. In that case, except will help you convey that better than but.

• He and I are on good terms, except he still needs to pay me the money he owes.
• We have everything we need for dinner, except that I still need to buy oil.
• A: Everything’s fine, except…

B: Except what?

Don’t confuse this with the phrase except for, which is used as a preposition, not a conjunction. You can only follow it with noun phrases.

• Everyone submitted their entries on time except for him.
• He and I are on good terms, except for the fact that he still needs to pay me the money he owes.

Practice

Time for some practice! The following sentences each have an error in them. Try to spot them and see if you can correct them.

1. It’s not the concerts themselves rather the social experience that I enjoy.
2. I can teach you how to play many genres, including and not limited to jazz, rock, country, and the blues.
3. He drives not only poorly but also can’t park properly.
4. A lot of times, we follow rules, but don’t really understand why.
5. He spent hours and hours more on the painting, but it still looks bad. (What could you replace but with to show that his work was useless?)
6. Overall, the movie was great, but the ending could have been better. (What could you replace but with to indicate more of an exception?)
7. Overall, the movie was great, but the ending could have been better. (What could you replace but with to indicate more of an afterthought?)

Answers:

1. It’s not the concerts themselves but rather the social experience that I enjoy. (You need the whole phrase but rather, not just rather.)
2. I can teach you how to play many genres, including but not limited to jazz, rock, country, and the blues. (“Including and not limited to” is not a standard expression.)
3. He not only drives poorly but also can’t park properly. OR Not only does he drive poorly, but he also can’t park properly. (Either of these makes the sentence a parallel construction.)
4. A lot of times, we follow the rules but don’t really understand why. (The second clause is not an independent clause, so you don’t need to use a comma.)
5. He spent hours and hours more on the painting, yet it still looks bad. (Now, you can tell more how useless his effort was.)
6. Overall, the movie was great, except the ending could have been better. (Now, it’s specified that the ending was really the one thing wrong with the movie.)
7. Overall, the movie was great, although the ending could have been better. (Now, it sounds more like the speaker doesn’t care as much about the ending.)

But as a linking word

We use but to link items which are the same grammatical type (coordinating conjunction). But is used to connect ideas that contrast.

The phrase but not is common:

The room has been painted but not in the colour that I asked for.

I’d love to go for a pizza with you but not tonight.

But meaning ‘except’

But means ‘except’ when it is used after words such as all, everything/nothing, everyone/no one, everybody/nobody:

The cleaning is done now, all but the floors. They still have to be washed.

I arrived at the airport and realised that I’d brought everything but my passport!

Everyone but Anna has checked in.

Nobody but the receptionist was left in the lobby of the hotel.

We use object pronouns after but (me, you, him, us, etc.) even in subject position:

Everybody but me has paid.

No one but him would get a job like that.

In formal situations, we can use subject pronouns after but:

Everyone but she knew how the drama was going to end.

But for + reason

But for is used to introduce the reason why something didn’t happen:

But for the traffic, I would have been here an hour ago. (The traffic was very heavy – if it weren’t for the traffic, I’d have been here an hour ago.)

They would have been badly injured but for the fact that they were wearing seat belts. (They were wearing seat belts – if it weren’t for the fact that they were wearing seat belts, they would have been badly injured.)

All but meaning ‘almost completely’

I had all but finished the essay when the computer crashed and I lost it all.

His parents had all but given up hope of seeing him again.

Comma usage can be tricky, and one question that pops up repeatedly is: When to put a comma beforebut? This guide will help you understand how to use commas before and after the conjunction but. We’ll also share a few other tricks of the trade to make using commas easier.

Main Comma Before But Takeaways:

• You need to put a comma beforebut if but connects two independent clauses.
• Independent clauses can stand alone as a sentence. They must express a complete thought.
• A dependent clause doesn’t express a complete thought, so it cannot stand alone as a sentence.
• A comma before but isn’t necessary if both independent clauses are simple and closely related.
• When the but links dependent and independent clauses, no comma is required.
• The only time a comma should follow but is when the but precedes an interrupter.
• An interrupter is a phrase that’s used to create emphasis in a sentence.

The rules of English grammar can be tricky, and comma usage can be the trickiest of all. One recurring comma-related question is when to use a comma beforebut. Thankfully, the guidelines for this particular grammar conundrum are simple.

Do You Use a Comma Before But?

The answer is yes, but only if you are joining two independent clauses. An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence. There are two ways to join two independent clauses in one sentence: using a semicolon or coordinating conjunction like “but.”

If you choose the latter, a comma should always precede “but.” The comma helps show where one independent clause ends, and the other begins. Adding a comma before “but” is a rule applicable to all other coordinating conjunctions, not just “but.” See the example sentences below:

Let’s break that down further.

Defining an Independent Clause

An independent clause is a phrase that can stand alone as a sentence. Although it may represent a single part of a complex sentence, it should express a complete thought. An independent clause must include a verb and a subject.

In this example, “Lisa loved dogs” is an independent clause. It contains a subject and a verb and conveys a complete thought. “She knew the names of every four-legged resident of her neighborhood” is also an independent clause for the same reason.

Exploring Sentences Containing Two Independent Clauses

Sentences may contain two independent clauses as long as they’re punctuated properly. Without correct punctuation, two independent clauses strung together form a run-on sentence.

There are several ways to join two independent clauses in a sentence correctly.

• Separating them with a semicolon.
• Joining them through a conjunction such as or, but, or and.

Examples:

There are several ways to join these two clauses.

This is a comma splice. It’s grammatically incorrect.

In this example, a semicolon effectively connects these two related independent clauses.

This example shows but as a conjunction between these two independent clauses. A comma is required here.

Where to Place the Comma

If you’re connecting independent clauses with a semicolon, you don’t need a comma. If you’re joining two independent clauses with a conjunction, such as but, a comma is required. The comma belongs after the last word in the initial clause, before but (or whichever conjunction you’ve used).

In this example, “commasare important” and “they can be difficult to use” are both independent clauses. They can stand on their own as sentences.

When you Shouldn’t use a Comma Before But

The rule of thumb here is simple: unless but joins two independent clauses, you don’t need a comma. In some sentences, independent clauses are joined to dependent clauses. A comma is not required in these instances.

1. Defining a Dependent Clause

Although a dependent clause contains a subject and verb, it can’t stand alone as a sentence because it doesn’t express a complete thought. These phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Word markers often signal dependent clauses. These may include:

• after
• although
• unless
• when
• whether
• since
• as if
• in order to
• whatever

2. Punctuating Sentences That Have Dependent Clauses

If the but in your sentence joins dependent and independent clauses, no comma is necessary.

In this example, “still didn’t get a response” is a dependent clause. It can’t stand alone as a sentence. No comma is needed before the but here.

Other Exceptions

Occasionally, you’ll encounter a joining of two short independent clauses. If the clauses are simple and demonstrate an obvious connection, then no comma is necessary. Although it isn’t grammatically incorrect to use a comma in this instance, it can create a sentence with poor flow. Take for instance the examples below:

The Flip Side: When to Put a Comma After But

The answer: rarely.

A comma should only be used after but when an interrupter follows it. An interrupter is a literary device that’s intended to enhance style. It can be used to evoke emotion, set the tone or pace of a sentence, or emphasize important thoughts or information.

Interrupters may also be called insertions or parenthetical expressions.

In this example, “of course” serves as an interrupter, so a comma is required after the but. This example also includes a comma beforebut since it’s joining two independent clauses.

Commas, Commas, Everywhere: A Brief Conclusion

Grammar rules, including but not limited to commas, can be challenging at best and downright impossible to understand at worst. By exploring individual questions such as when to place a comma beforebut, you’ll learn how to use this grammatical go-to in no time. No buts about it.

Quick Grammar Quiz About Comma Before But

Read More: When To Use Comma Before Such As: The Definitive Guide

Understanding the Grammar Rules for Placing a Comma Before But

It can be difficult to know when you should put a comma before the word “but” in a sentence. After all, “but” is a conjunction that can join together different parts of a sentence. Sometimes, it is okay to use “but” without a comma. Here are some guidelines on whether you need to use a comma before the word “but” and some examples of best practices.

The Rules

In general, you should put a comma before the word “but” when the word connects two independent clauses. An independent clause can function on its own without the rest of the phrase. A dependent clause needs the other clause to work as a sentence.

For instance, the sentence: “I would accept the assignment, but I have too many assignments to write already.” 

In this case, both clauses can function independently. “I would accept the assignment” works as a sentence on its own. “I have too many assignments to write already” also works as an independent sentence. Because of this, there should be a comma before the word “but.” 

If one of the clauses is a dependent clause, then you should not use a comma before the word “but.”

For instance, “I would accept the assignment but for my existing workload.” 

In this sentence, “for my existing workload” does not have a verb. It is not a complete sentence and cannot stand on its own. It is a dependent clause. For this reason, you do not need a comma before the word “but” because both phrases are not independent clauses.

Examples of Correct Comma Usage

Generally, you need to use a comma before the word “but” when it connects two independent clauses. Some examples of this are:

• Content marketing takes time, but it is worth the effort. 
• Writing a book is only the first part of the process, but you could spend just as much time editing it.
• An interview with a subject manner can provide a lot of information for upcoming articles, but taking accurate notes is equally important.

Examples of Correct But Without Comma Usage

Some examples of sentences that would not need to have a comma before the word “but” are:

• He is young but ambitious.
• She wrote a song and submitted it to a contest but lost anyway.
• She loves to read novels but hates nonfiction books.

Best Practices

When writing complex sentences, it is important to look at whether the clauses are independent or dependent clauses. If the clauses are independent and could function as separate sentences, you do need a comma. However, if the clause is dependent and relies on the independent clause before it, you do not need the comma.

If you are not sure what to do, you could rely on an online grammar checker such as Grammarly or Hemingway. Both programs should be able to provide feedback about proper comma usage. With Grammarly, you may need to use Grammarly Premium, the paid version, to get access to advanced grammar review. The free version provides some basic guidance on clauses and comma usage.

There are actually some rare instances where it might be appropriate to use a comma after the word “but.” This is when the word “but” is used as an interrupter. The sentence or clause will still retain its meaning without the word. For example, an interrupter might read something like: “but, of course, sometimes interviews need to be rescheduled.” The sentence “sometimes interviews needs to be rescheduled” is a full sentence on its own. The only reason that there is a comma after the word “but” is because of the interrupter that comes after it.

Proper grammar usage is an important part of writing, whether you are creating long-form content or short social media posts. It is a way to maintain the clearest level of communication and ensure that your comma usage is consistent across the written content that you produce. In most cases, you should use a comma with an independent clause. It can be that simple.

Melanie G. is a freelance writer and editor living in Tampa, Florida. She’s freelanced full-time since she left her writing job at Nielsen in 2012.

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