Saturday, 8 May 2010

but - except

1. We use but to mean except after all, every, any, no and everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, anywhere etc)

  • He eats nothing but hamburgers

  • Everybody's here but George

  • I've finished all the jobs but one.


We usually use object pronouns (me, him  etc) after but.




  • Nobody but her would do a think like that.


2. We use the infinitive without to after but.

  • That child does nothing but watch TV
    (NOT.. nothing but watching TV)


3. Note the expressions next but one, lat but two etc

  • My friend lives next door but one (= two houses from me)

  • Liverpool are last but one in the football league.

1 comment: