This document discusses the different uses of the word "but" in English grammar. It explains that "but" can be used as a conjunction to indicate contrast or negation of an idea. Examples are provided like "It was sunny, but cold". It can also be used as a preposition, meaning "except" to indicate an exception, as in "There was no one there but Alice". Finally, it can indicate an extenuating circumstance when used with "for", such as "But for the bus, we would have had to walk". The document provides the grammar patterns, collocations, set phrases, examples, and exercises related to the different uses of the word "but".

1. Native EnglishNatural Grammar

2. ButConjunctionPrepositionConjunctionIndicates contrast or negation of an idea.Ex: It was sunny, but cold.She was tired, but not sleepy.PrepositionMeaning except; indicating an exception.Ex: There was no one there but Alice.I will do anything but that.Indicating an extenuating circumstance or exceptional reason.Ex: But for the bus, we would have had to walk.But for the homerun, we would have lost the game.Grammar Patterns

3. ButConjunctionPrepositionConjunctionIndicates contrast or negation of an idea.Ex: It was sunny, but cold.She was tired, but not sleepy.PrepositionMeaning except; indicating an exception.Ex: There was no one there but Alice.I will do anything but that.Indicating an extenuating circumstance or exceptional reason.Ex: But for the bus, we would have had to walk.But for the homerun, we would have lost the game.Collocations

4. ButConjunctionPrepositionConjunctionIndicates contrast or negation of an idea.Ex: It was sunny, but cold.She was tired, but not sleepy.PrepositionMeaning except; indicating an exception.Ex: There was no one there but Alice.I will do anything but that.Indicating an extenuating circumstance or exceptional reason.Ex: But for the bus, we would have had to walk.But for the homerun, we would have lost the game.Set Phrases

5. ButConjunctionPrepositionConjunctionIndicates contrast or negation of an idea.Ex: It was sunny, but cold.She was tired, but not sleepy.PrepositionMeaning except; indicating an exception.Ex: There was no one there but Alice.I will do anything but that.Indicating an extenuating circumstance or exceptional reason.Ex: But for the bus, we would have had to walk.But for the homerun, we would have lost the game.Examples

6. ButConjunctionPrepositionConjunctionIndicates contrast or negation of an idea.Ex: It was sunny, but cold.She was tired, but not sleepy.PrepositionMeaning except; indicating an exception.Ex: There was no one there but Alice.I will do anything but that.Indicating an extenuating circumstance or exceptional reason.Ex: But for the bus, we would have had to walk.But for the homerun, we would have lost the game.Exercises(link to Quia)