but
/bət; bʌt/conjunction
उच्चारण बट
लेकिन, परंतु
Basic word
- 1
used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before; however; used before you say why something did not happen
लेकिन, परंतु
- She is poor but honest.
- I wanted to go, but it rained.
- He tried hard, but he did not win.
+ 2 more examples
- The film was long but enjoyable.
- I would love to join you, but I have an exam tomorrow.
Synonyms however yet although nevertheless still
- 1
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
clause + but + clause
But joins two clauses that contrast, and a comma often comes before it. The second part must be a contrast, not a result.
'But' दो विरोधी clauses को जोड़ता है और उससे पहले अक्सर comma आता है। दूसरा भाग विरोध दिखाए, परिणाम नहीं।
- Radhika studied hard, but she did not get the rank she wanted.
- The room was small but comfortable.
but = except (preposition)
After words like all, nothing, nobody, everyone and the last, but means except. A pronoun after it is in the object case.
all, nothing, nobody, everyone और the last जैसे शब्दों के बाद 'but' का अर्थ 'except' होता है। इसके बाद सर्वनाम object case में आता है।
- Everyone but him passed the test.
- There was nothing to eat but bread.
cannot but + bare infinitive / can't help -ing
Cannot but means cannot help doing something. It is followed by a bare infinitive, with no to.
'Cannot but' का अर्थ किसी बात को रोक न पाना है। इसके बाद बिना to की मूल क्रिया आती है।
- I cannot but admire her courage.
- She could not but smile at the joke.
but for + noun
But for means if it were not for, and it introduces a condition that did not exist.
'But for' का अर्थ 'if it were not for' है और यह ऐसी शर्त बताता है जो मौजूद नहीं थी।
- But for your help, I would have failed.
+Collocations 3
all / every + but
everyone butnobody butnothing butanything butall but
- The match was anything but easy for the home team.
but + adverb
but thenbut stillbut alsobut however (avoid)but even
- Not only the teacher but also the students were present.
fixed phrases
last but not leastbut forbut then againcannot butnone but
- Last but not least, I thank my parents.
“More examples 5
- It was raining, but the match went on.
बारिश हो रही थी, पर मैच चलता रहा।
- She is poor but honest.
वह ग़रीब है पर ईमानदार है।
- I like tea, but my brother prefers coffee.
मुझे चाय पसंद है, पर मेरा भाई कॉफ़ी पसंद करता है।
- He is nothing but a coward.
वह कायर के अलावा कुछ नहीं है।
- Not only did she win, but she also set a new record.
उसने न केवल जीत हासिल की, बल्कि नया रिकॉर्ड भी बनाया।
!Common mistakes 3
✗ Although he was tired, but he continued to work.
✓ Although he was tired, he continued to work.
Although and but both show contrast; use only one.
'Although' और 'but' दोनों विरोध दिखाते हैं; केवल एक का प्रयोग करें।
✗ She had no choice but accepting the offer.
✓ She had no choice but to accept the offer.
After no choice but, use to + verb.
'No choice but' के बाद to + verb आता है।
✗ I cannot but to laugh at his jokes.
✓ I cannot but laugh at his jokes.
Cannot but is followed by a bare infinitive, without to.
'Cannot but' के बाद बिना to की मूल क्रिया आती है।
≠Thesaurus: which synonym when
These connectors show contrast, but they differ in strength and position.
ये connectors विरोध दिखाते हैं, पर इनकी तीव्रता और स्थान अलग हैं।
The common word for contrast, placed between two clauses.
विरोध का सामान्य शब्द, दो clauses के बीच।
- He is old but strong.
A more formal adverb that usually begins a sentence and takes a comma.
अधिक औपचारिक adverb जो प्रायः वाक्य के आरंभ में comma के साथ आता है।
- However, she agreed.
Like but, but often adds surprise to the contrast.
'But' जैसा, पर विरोध में अक्सर आश्चर्य जोड़ता है।
- He is rich, yet unhappy.
≈Synonyms and antonyms
?Which word?
Homophone: but and butt are both /bʌt/.
Homophone: but और butt दोनों /bʌt/ हैं।
§Grammar and usage
But as a preposition means except and takes the object form ('Everyone but him came', not 'but he'); 'nothing but' (only); 'cannot but + base form' (formal, have to: 'I cannot but admire her'); 'all but' (almost: 'The work is all but finished'); avoid 'although ... but' in one sentence.
यह बहुत पूछा जाता है: preposition के रूप में but का अर्थ except है और object रूप लेता है ('Everyone but him came', 'but he' नहीं); 'nothing but' (केवल); 'cannot but + base form' (औपचारिक, करना ही पड़ना: 'I cannot but admire her'); 'all but' (लगभग: 'The work is all but finished'); एक वाक्य में 'although ... but' से बचें।
“Collocations, idioms and sayings
But for (without: 'But for your help, I would have failed'), no ifs and buts (no excuses), the last but one (the second last).
Idioms: but for (के बिना: 'But for your help, I would have failed'), no ifs and buts (कोई बहाना नहीं), the last but one (अंतिम से पहला)।