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but meaning ‘except’

Use​

We use but to mean ‘except’ after all, none, 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.

Note the expressions next but one, last but two, etc (mainly BrE).

  • Jackie lives next door but one. (= two houses from me)
  • I was last but two in the race yesterday.

But for expresses the idea ‘if something had not existed/happened’.

  • I would have been in real trouble but for your help.
  • But for the storm, I would have been home before eight.

Note also the structure who/what should … but (used to talk about surprising appearances, meetings, etc).

  • I walked out of the station, and who should I see but old Holly?
  • I looked under the bed, and what should I find but the keys I lost last week?

Pronouns after but​

After but, we usually use object pronouns (me, him, etc). Subject pronouns (I, he, etc) are possible in a more formal style before a verb.

  • Nobody but her would do a thing like that. (More formal: *Nobody but she …)

Verbs after but​

The verb form after but usually depends on what came before. Infinitives are normally without to.

  • She’s not interested in anything but skiing. (interested in … skiing)
  • That child does nothing but watch TV. (does … watch)

Can’t (help) but + infinitive without to is sometimes used with the meaning of ‘can’t help …ing’ (see here). Cannot but … is very formal; can’t help but … is especially common in American English.

  • One cannot (help) but admire his courage. (= One has to admire …)
  • I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to us all.

Infinitives with to are used after no alternative/choice/option but …

  • The train was cancelled, so I had no alternative but to take a taxi.

but meaning ‘only’​

In older English, but was used to mean ‘only’, but this is now very unusual.

  • She is but a child.
note

Note: but is usually pronounced /bət/, not /bʌt/ (see here).

For except, (see here).

For but as a conjunction and ellipsis after but, (see here).