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Before writing the word “but” in your next sentence, consider choosing one of these synonyms for but . It will make your writing stronger to avoid this over-used word . The word “but” is one of the most commonly used words in the English language . To make your writing more interesting, you should look for ways to remove over-used words and replace them with
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But is the workhorse of contrast in English, and leaning on it in every second sentence flattens your prose. The alternatives below range from close conjunctions such as yet and although, to formal adverbs such as nevertheless and notwithstanding, to prepositions such as except and barring that carve out an exception rather than stage a full contrast. Match the substitute to the job: pivoting an argument, conceding a point, or excluding a case each calls for a different word.
The most direct replacements for but, these words pivot a sentence from one idea to an opposing or qualifying one.
These options carry a formal or slightly old-fashioned register, suited to academic prose, legal writing, or deliberate stylistic effect.
These prepositions and phrases replace but in its exclusion sense, as in everyone but the driver, by carving one case out of a general statement.
These words acknowledge an obstacle or objection while insisting the main claim still holds.
But can also mean no more than, as in she is but a child, and these adverbs cover that limiting sense.
These spoken-register phrases turn an argument around mid-conversation and work well in informal writing and dialogue.
Tap any word to see it used in a sentence.
Do not skip the rehearsal; after all, the ceremony is tomorrow.
The route is longer, but I prefer it all the same.
Although the cafe was crowded, we found a quiet corner.
At any rate, the samples will arrive before Friday.
The memoir is funny; at the same time, it never hides the grief underneath.
The reviews were mixed; despite that, the book kept selling.
She kept training even though the race had been postponed.
The evidence was thin; even so, the jury deliberated for days.
He stayed calm even when the servers crashed mid-demo.
The critics dismissed the film, but for all that, audiences loved it.
The invention failed commercially; howbeit, it changed the industry's direction.
The plan looked solid on paper; however, the numbers told another story.
Skip the summary and read the primary source instead.
The warranty had expired, but the shop repaired the watch just the same.
The trail was closed; nevertheless, hikers kept slipping past the gate.
The translation loses some rhythm; nonetheless, the story lands.
Notwithstanding the delays, the bridge opened under budget.
The forecast looked grim, but the crew sailed regardless.
The apartments are identical, save for the fact that one faces the river.
The path was longer than promised; still, the waterfall was worth it.
The instructions were clear, though the diagrams helped even more.
The engine is decades old, yet it starts on the first try.
As much as I admire the design, the price is hard to justify.
The manual says the part is universal; contrarily, it fits only two models.
Print sales dipped; conversely, audiobook revenue doubled.
Despite the fact that the store had moved, loyal customers found it.
Granted that the sample was small, the trend is still worth studying.
The first act is frantic; in contrast, the second unfolds slowly.
The changes did not hurt morale; on the contrary, the team seemed relieved.
We could repaint the office; then again, the lease ends in June.
He promised to write daily, when in truth he barely opened the file.
The novella whispers, whereas the novel shouts.
While the data is promising, the study has not been replicated.
Besides the fact that it rained, the picnic went smoothly.
The two editions are identical, except that the paperback adds an afterword.
Excepting the finale, every episode was shot on location.
I would join you, only I promised to watch the kids tonight.
Saving one dissenting vote, the board approved the merger.
Were it not for the lighthouse, the crew would have missed the harbor.
Admitting the schedule is tight, the team still believes the date is realistic.
Allowing that the witness was nervous, her account stayed consistent.
Assuming the flight is on time, we can make the evening session.
The bonus is contingent upon hitting the quarterly targets.
Granted, the venue is small, but the sound system is superb.
Granting that mistakes were made, the response was swift and honest.
If the printer fails again, we will outsource the job.
Imagine the pitch succeeds; the studio would need a script within a month.
The generator stands ready in case that the storm knocks out power.
Let's assume the budget doubles; where would the money go first?
Let's say the shipment is late; the launch would slip a week.
The source spoke on condition that her name be withheld.
Presuming the tests pass, the update ships Friday.
Presupposing an experienced crew, the climb takes two days.
The loan is approved, provided the paperwork arrives by noon.
Say the offer falls through; would you stay another year?
Suppose the polls are wrong; what is the plan then?
She was so tired that she slept through the fireworks.
What if the keynote speaker cancels at the last minute?
Absent new evidence, the case will be closed this month.
Apart from the squeaky door, the cottage was perfect.
Aside from a short intermission, the performance ran straight through.
Barring a miracle, the season is over.
Besides the keynote, three workshops are scheduled for Saturday.
Beyond a few scratches, the car survived the hailstorm.
Disregarding the outliers, the results form a clean curve.
Everyone finished the course except the two youngest runners.
Excluding weekends, the office answers queries within a day.
The quoted rent is exclusive of heating and parking.
Leaving out the prologue, the story begins in the courtroom.
The band played the full album, minus one unreleased track.
Not counting the intern, the entire team has met the client.
The price covers materials, not including delivery.
Omitting the jargon, the memo fits on a single page.
Other than a delayed train, the trip went smoothly.
Outside of family, no one knew about the engagement.
Ruling out the weather, only two factors could explain the delay.
He arrived at the gala sans tie, and no one seemed to mind.
All the manuscripts were returned, save one.
Short of rewriting the entire chapter, no fix will hide the plot hole.
She delivered the speech without her notes.
Against the doctor's advice, he ran the full marathon.
Careless of the rain, the fans waited outside the stadium.
Despite the late start, the crew wrapped filming on schedule.
Discounting the rumors, the facts of the case are simple.
Even after the apology, the partnership never recovered.
Even with a map, we missed the turnoff twice.
For all his wealth, he lived plainly.
Ignoring the noise from the street, the interview went well.
In the face of rising costs, the bakery kept its prices steady.
The rules apply irrespective of seniority.
Not considering the cost, the plan is flawless.
Setting aside the budget questions, the design itself is superb.
Taking no notice of the sirens, the cat slept on the windowsill.
Whatever the committee decides, the festival will go ahead.
The landlord gave no reason whatsoever for the sudden notice.
Applications are reviewed without regard to age or nationality.
The cellar was absolutely silent after the storm passed.
The lighthouse keeper spent the winter all alone on the island.
The repair should take an hour at most.
The train had barely left the station when the storm broke.
The new software completely replaced the old filing system.
The garden is entirely maintained by volunteers.
He is just tired, not ill.
The email was merely a reminder, not a warning.
The interview lasted no more than a few minutes.
The resemblance between the two characters is purely coincidental.
Some chapters simply need cutting, not polishing.
The library is uniquely placed to host the exhibit.
The ending left the audience utterly silent.
The decision rests wholly with the editor.
The forecast promised rain, but we hiked anyway.
The essay is strong; having said that, the conclusion feels rushed.
In any event, the contract must be signed before work begins.
The funding fell through; in spite of that, the festival went ahead.
Remote work saves commuting time; on the flip side, the days blur together.
The hotel is far from the venue; that being said, the rate is unbeatable.
Whatever happens with the vote, the coalition will survive the week.
The best substitute depends on the sense you need. For a straightforward contrast, use yet, however, or although. For a formal register, try nevertheless, nonetheless, or notwithstanding. When but means except, as in everyone but Sam, swap in except, apart from, or other than.
Yes. Professional writers and major style guides accept but at the start of a sentence, where it creates a sharp, emphatic turn. The rule against it was a schoolroom simplification rather than a genuine grammar rule. Use the device deliberately and sparingly so the emphasis stays fresh.
However is the standard formal choice, followed by nevertheless, nonetheless, and yet. In legal and academic contexts, notwithstanding and whereas appear often. Remember that however is an adverb, not a conjunction, so it needs a semicolon or a new sentence rather than a comma when it links two independent clauses.
Both signal contrast, yet they behave differently in a sentence. But is a coordinating conjunction, so it can join two independent clauses with just a comma. However is a conjunctive adverb, so joining clauses with a comma before it creates a comma splice; write the clauses as separate sentences or use a semicolon, as in the plan failed; however, the team regrouped.
Repetition dulls contrast. When every qualification arrives on the back of but, readers stop registering the turns in your argument. Varying the connective, or restructuring the sentence so the contrast is built into the clause order, keeps each pivot visible and makes the strongest one land harder.
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