Betekenis van but In het Nederlands

• 0 used to introduce an added statement, usually something that is different from what you have said before:

  • She's very hard-working but not very imaginative.

  • This is not caused by evil, but by simple ignorance.

  • The play's good, but not that good - I've seen better.

  • I'm sorry, but I think you're wrong when you say she did it deliberately.

  • Call me old-fashioned, but I like handwritten letters.

  • I can understand his unhappiness. But to attempt suicide!

  • "She said she's leaving." "But why?"

  • You can invite Keith to the party, but please don't ask that friend of his.

  • We must not complain about the problem, but (= instead we must) help to put it right.

  • She's not a painter but a writer (= she is a writer, not a painter).

  • She's not only a painter but also a writer (= she is both).

  • UK He said he hadn't been there, but then (= it is not surprising that) he would say that.

  • UK I think it's true, but then (= it should be understood that), I'm no expert.

• 1 except:

  • Eventually, all but one of them promised to come to his birthday party.

  • He's anything but violent (= not violent in any way).

  • I would have crashed the car but for your warning.

  • This is the last episode but one (= one before the last) of the series.

  • She's one of those guests who does nothing but complain.

  • This car has been nothing but trouble - it's always breaking down!

• 2 used to give force to a statement:

  • Everyone, but everyone, will be there.

• 3 only; just:

  • She's but a young girl!

• 4 used to emphasize that something will happen even if the person you are talking to does not want it to:

  • We're going to visit your aunt tomorrow and there'll be no buts about it.

• 5 used to express a difference or to introduce an added statement:

  • You can take Route 14 to get there, but it may take you a little longer.

  • We enjoyed our vacation a lot, but it was expensive.

• 6 except:

  • Nobody but John was willing to talk to her.

  • This car has been nothing but trouble – it’s always breaking down!