other term of but in essay

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What can I use instead of "but" and "however"?

I just noticed I tend to use "but" and 'however" in almost every paragraph.

Examples (all of them are from the same story):

I almost let everything out. But , funny, I didn't. I didn't want him to feel bad. Which made me wonder if maybe I enjoyed punishing myself. But what for? This was the first time we were going to be apart for so long. Two months wasn't a big deal for most people. But for me, it was an endless torture. But as I stood there, watching the bus disappear down the street, I reminded myself that it wasn't so bad. That we would still see each other on weekends. Li was holding me from behind. I liked to sit like that—feeling his warmth on my back, and his moist breath on my neck. It made me feel protected, at ease. As though nothing in the world could hurt me. However , that day, something disturbed that feeling. I wanted to cry. I wanted to shout at him, tell him that I was already here. However , I knew I couldn't protest. It was my fault, after all. I had come too early, and he probably thought I was still in Nantou.

Is their use justifiable? Or should I use something else instead?

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• word-choice

• Honestly, I don't see the problem with many of the uses in your example. The first example reads well. In the second I would remove the first "but." The third and fourth read fine. –  Chris Commented Jan 19, 2014 at 1:27
• I had a therapist who suggested that, as I talked to her, I replace "but" with "and." It frequently worked! "But" sets up the upcoming statement in opposition to the first, and "and" doesn't do that. (See what I did there?) –  Ken Mohnkern Commented May 11, 2015 at 18:11

6 Answers 6

There are many synonyms to but . For the meaning you are pointing out in your question, some of them would be still, nevertheless, nonetheless, though, although, and yet . You can find these and the ones for the other meanings in any site with synonyms lookup function, such as Thesaurus ("but" synonyms) .

However , it should be noted that it can be counterproductive to sprinkle your story with synonyms of a common word just for the sake of non-repetition. Just as it happens with the word "said": Many people think you should not abuse of "said" synonyms in dialog tags (see The Use and Abuse of Dialogue Tags , for example), because it "draws [the readers'] attention away from the dialogue and yank them out of the story". Same can happen with but . The abundance of random synonyms might rather obstruct the reading experience.

If you want to show two ideas are opposed, there can be workarounds, thinking outside the box. Some times these ideas are not inherently opposed (in your first example, "Funny enough, I didn't"); some other times, the causal relationship can be implied (in your fourth example, just removing it would keep the meaning: "As I stood there..."); and some other times, it can be necessary (the rest of your examples fall in this category, in my opinion).

To finish, a workaround example, one that I don't pretend to be substitutive nor better, just to explain the idea:

I wanted to cry. I wanted to shout at him, tell him that I was already here. As I opened my mouth, I realized I couldn't protest. It was my fault, after all.

But is a conjunction that has a specific place and a specific meaning. It strikes me that your issue isn't so much with overusing the word "but" but* with using repetitive sentence structure. Please note, for instance, that you really, really aren't supposed to start a sentence with a conjunction because the whole point of a conjunction is to link two items together "I like coffee and tea." "I like coffee but I don't like tea." "I would like coffee or tea."

That isn't to say that you can't ever break this rule, but as with all grammatical rules, there are consequences. I think the primary consequence of breaking the "no conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence" rule is that it looks like you or your character finished a thought and then remembered they wanted to add something else. If you use it all the time, well... your viewpoint will sound like they're very, very confused. If that's what you're going for, don't worry about the overuse of "but" at all. If you're looking for normal, free-flowing prose, at least consider grammar.

*Note: I just typed but but.

Honestly, I don't see the problem with many of the uses in your example. The first example reads well. In the second I would remove the first "but." The third and fourth sound fine to my ears.

I second the advice that too much variety is potentially more distracting than the repetition.

Like Chris I don't see a problem and would only have deleted the first "but" in the second text snippet.

You must understand that "but" is something like the 23rd most frequent word in English ( http://www.wordfrequency.info/free.asp?s=y ). It would be uncommon, if it did not appear often.

If you want, you can use this online service to calculate word frequencies for your own text: http://darylkinsman.ca/tools/wordfreq.shtml I just input my last novel and found that "but" was the 23rd most frequent word with 316 instances (of 50038) at 0.6%. If an analysis of your test shows significantly higher percentages (maybe more than 1%), you can start to worry.

What can I use instead of “but” and “however”?

Without further ado, here are the possibilities.

OTOH, on the contrary, otherwise, yet, even though, though ... still, rather, unexpectedly, despite, in spite of, ...

He is a good hire. I love his honesty, but his honesty could lead us into trouble. We should hire him. I love his honesty. On the other hand, his honesty could lead us into trouble.

The new medicine is giving people a lot of hope, but it is dangerous hope as it is not well tested yet. I do not agree with the new medicine that is giving people a lot of hope. On the contrary, I feel it is dangerous as it is not well tested yet.

The govt is not interested in people becoming rich, but they would want you to pay your taxes. The govt is not interested in people becoming rich. Rather, they would want you to pay your taxes.

The sky was clear and the weather was mild, but then it there was a thunderstorm and it started to rain. The sky was clear and the weather was mild. Unexpectedly, there was a thunderstorm and it started to rain.

She was born with debilitating condition, but she was successful in becoming a doctor. Even though she was born with debilitating condition, she was successful in becoming a doctor. Though she was born with debilitating condition, she was successful in becoming a doctor still. She was born with debilitating condition, yet she was successful in becoming a doctor. She persevered towards her success in becoming a doctor, otherwise she would have wallowed in her congenital debilitating condition. She persevered towards her success in becoming a doctor, despite her congenital debilitating condition. In spite of her being born with a debilitating condition, she was successful in becoming a doctor.

In addition to the other good answers, "but ..." is a negation or restriction of the thing or condition it refers to. It "takes away" from it. It also breaks the flow of thought/action (which is fine when it's on purpose.)

Many people use this in speech and writing all the time as a matter of habit, even when it's not really necessary or appropriate. A lot of the time two ideas are just in sequence and could simply be stated or even joined with "and".

Your second example shows both (as possibilities - not as I'm right/you're wrong!)

For me, it was an endless torture. As I stood there, watching the bus disappear down the street, I reminded myself that it wasn't so bad. For me, it was an endless torture and as I stood there, watching the bus disappear down the street, I reminded myself that it wasn't so bad.

There's a whole study called Conscious Languaging which teaches people to reduce or eliminate such usages because it can be a form of self sabotage.

On the flip side of this, using "but" can help convey uncertainty, hesitation, low self esteem, or intentional negating of the subject.

Garrison Keillor (in his A Prairie Home Companion radio show) uses this to great effect with his Norwegian bachelor farmers' "Yuh,but ...", where they have a reason why almost anything good won't work out - which serves mainly as a reflection on their state of mind rather than on the subject itself.

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110+ Synonyms for “But” with Examples | Another Word for “But”

When we want to express contrast or qualify a statement, we often rely on the familiar conjunction “but” to bridge our thoughts. However, there are many instances where varying our language can enhance our writing, making it more interesting and nuanced. Understanding synonyms for “but” gives us more tools for expression.

But Synonyms

What Is “But”?

“ But ” is a conjunction primarily used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has been mentioned previously. It is a bridge between two statements that may introduce an exception, an opposing idea, or a contradictory point.

List of Synonyms for But

• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Despite this
• On the contrary
• In contrast
• Notwithstanding
• Excepting that
• Except for the fact that
• Be that as it may
• Having said that
• At the same time
• In spite of this
• Even though
• Granted that
• Assuming that
• Even assuming that
• In spite of the fact that
• Despite the fact that
• All the same
• For all that
• In any case
• By contrast
• As opposed to
• With regard to
• When it comes to
• Provided that
• Providing that
• Notwithstanding the fact that
• In any event
• In the event that
• Supposing that
• With the exception of
• Not to mention
• To say nothing of
• Consequently
• Accordingly
• That is why
• Which is why
• This is why
• For this reason
• For that reason
• For which reason
• On account of which
• Due to which
• Owing to which
• In light of which
• Given which
• Considering which
• With this in mind
• Bearing this in mind

Types of Synonyms for But

Conjunction synonyms.

• Although : Displays a contrast or exception and is usually more formal.
• However : Indicates a shift in the discussion and often starts a new sentence.
• Nevertheless : Denotes a strong contrast and is typically used in more formal writing.
• On the other hand : Provides a clear-cut distinction between two different points.
• Still : Suggests continuity but also introduces a contrast.
• Though : Similar to “although,” it can be more conversational.
• Yet : Implies that something is so despite the preceding words.

Preposition Synonyms

• Except : Specifies something that is not included in the preceding statement.
• Aside from : Similar to “except,” but can be used to sound less formal.
• Outside of : Sets a boundary, often to exclude something.

Adverb Synonyms

• Merely : Suggests limitation and is often used to reduce the impact of the ensuing statement.
• Just : Used to focus on the main point, usually downplaying the previous information.

Common Synonyms for But

But vs. however.

While  but  is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast or exception,   however  serves a similar purpose but is typically used to start a new clause or sentence. It generally implies a greater contrast or an unexpected turn.

• She wanted to purchase the dress, but it was too expensive.
• The team played well; however , their efforts were not enough to secure a victory.

But vs. Yet

Yet   implies that despite the information presented in the first part of the sentence, the second part holds true or is surprising. The word  but   can be used in a similar fashion, though it doesn’t convey the element of surprise as strongly as  yet .

• The weather forecast predicted rain, but it turned out to be a sunny day.
• The path was steep, yet they reached the top without any trouble.

But vs. Although

Although   is used to introduce a subordinate clause and indicates a contrast with the main clause. It provides a more formal tone than   but  and is followed by a subject and verb.

• The hike was difficult, but the views were worth it.
• Although the task was daunting, they managed to complete it on time.

But vs. Nevertheless

Nevertheless   is an adverb that can be used similarly to  but   to show contrast or contradiction; it suggests that the statement following it is true despite the conditions mentioned in the previous statement. It tends to carry a more formal tone than  but  and is often used in academic or literary contexts.

• The evidence was circumstantial, but the jury found him guilty.
• The road was blocked; nevertheless , they found an alternate route.

Incorporating Synonyms for “But” into Formal Writing

In formal and academic contexts, it’s important for us to diversify our language to enhance clarity and professionalism. Substituting “but” with its formal equivalents can not only enrich our vocabulary but also strengthen the impact of our writing.

Transitioning Between Points

When we aim to transition between points in formal writing, the conjunction “but” often seems too abrupt or informal. To create a smooth and sophisticated flow between contrasting statements, we can use alternatives such as “however,” “nevertheless,” and “yet.” These words should be employed to connect sentences that possess an antithetical relationship, and proper punctuation must accompany them to ensure grammatical accuracy. For instance:

• However,  should be preceded by a semicolon or used to start a new sentence; for example,  She had the qualifications; however, she lacked experience.
• Nevertheless,  often stands at the beginning of a sentence to reinforce a preceding point; for example,  The weather was poor. Nevertheless, the event continued as planned.
• Yet,  can replace “but” within a sentence without altering its meaning; for example,  He is a novice, yet he performs like a professional.

Emphasizing the Contrast

To underscore the contrast between ideas, careful selection of “but” replacements is crucial. Words like “although,” “conversely,” and “on the contrary” serve this purpose effectively, each with their own nuanced use. These terms do more than simply connect thoughts; they add depth to the contrast being highlighted.

• Although,  introduces a subordinate clause highlighting a contradiction; for example,  Although the task was difficult, it was completed on time.
• Conversely,  contrasts two separate ideas or facts, often in a new sentence; for example,  The first proposal was readily accepted. Conversely, the second encountered opposition.
• On the contrary,  directly counters a stated assumption; for example,  It is not a matter of funding; on the contrary, our priorities have shifted.

Highlighting Exceptions

Explaining exceptions in our writing often necessitates a departure from using “but.” Formal synonyms like “except,” “save for,” and “apart from” can elegantly indicate exclusions or deviations from a statement. They can specify the precise nature of exceptions:

• Except,  is used before stating the exception directly; for example,  All committee members agreed, except the chairperson.
• Save for,  similar to “except,” it carves out a specific exclusion; for example,  The entire report was accurate, save for some minor errors.
• Apart from,  denotes a separation from the whole; for example,  The research covers all recent developments, apart from the latest announcement.

Synonyms for But in Different Contexts

Casual conversations.

In everyday speech, we often replace “but” to make our language more varied and relatable. Here are a few alternatives:

• However: We find that adopting a new pet can be quite the commitment, however  we’re excited about it.
• Yet: They’re not the most popular choice, yet  they have a loyal following.

Academic Writing

In academic or formal writing, we aim for more precise language. Some formal synonyms for “but” include:

• Nevertheless: The experiment had limitations, nevertheless  it provided valuable insights.
• Nonetheless: T he theory is widely accepted, nonetheless  further research is required.

Professional Communication

In a business or professional setting, we use synonyms for “but” that convey a neutral or constructive tone:

• Still: We appreciate the feedback, still  we need to consider the budget constraints.
• Although: Our team is small,  although  we’re highly productive .

Literary or Artistic Contexts

Writers and artists often choose synonyms that add depth to their expression:

• Conversely: The character was flawed,  conversely , this made her relatable.
• Instead: He chose to walk the path less traveled  instead  of the easier route.

Expressing Contrast

When we want to highlight a contrast, we might use:

• On the contrary:   I do care about the project,  on the contrary , I believe our approach needs adjustment.
• Conversely: The data seemed inconclusive, conversely , this led to a breakthrough .

Absolute and Near Synonyms of But

Absolute synonyms for but.

Near Synonyms for But

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some informal alternatives to the word ‘but’?

Informal alternatives to ‘but’ include ‘yet’, ‘though’, and ‘however’. In casual speech, phrases like ‘on the other hand’ and ‘still’ also serve a similar contrasting function.

Can you list formal equivalents for the word ‘but’ when starting a sentence?

For a formal tone, ‘however’, ‘nevertheless’, and ‘nonetheless’ are appropriate alternatives to ‘but’ at the beginning of a sentence.

What words can be used in place of ‘but’ for academic writing like IELTS?

In academic contexts such as IELTS, consider using ‘although’, ‘whereas’, or ‘contrary to’ for expressing contrast.

How can I say ‘but’ politely in a conversation?

To be polite, one might use ‘however’, ‘though’, or ‘having said that’ in place of ‘but’ to soften the contrast.

What could I use instead of ‘but then’ in a narrative?

In a narrative, ‘yet’ or ‘still’ can effectively replace ‘but then’ to show a turn of events without interrupting the flow of the story.

Are there any substitutes for the conjunctions ‘and’, ‘but’, or ‘so’?

Other than ‘but’, substitutions for ‘and’ include ‘in addition’ and ‘also’, while ‘therefore’ and ‘consequently’ can replace ‘so’ to link sentences or ideas in both speaking and writing.

• Therefore Synonym
• Despite Synonym
• Although Synonym
• Overall Synonym
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Formal synonyms of 'BUT'

Below are three formal and polite equivalents (synonyms) of ' but ' which you can use in your business or professional pieces of writing.

The word 'but' is used to make a contrast between a situation ('it was raining') and what happened or will happen ('I went for a walk'). The word 'but' and its synonyms below are always used in front of the what happened or will happen (e.g. 'but I went for a walk'). This is different to another word used for making a contrast, 'although', which is always used in front of the situation instead (e.g. 'although it was raining').

To see the formal synonyms of 'although', click here .

Is used in the same way as 'but', but it is generally followed by a comma and is normally used (but not always) at the beginning of a sentence to contrast what was stated/said in the previous sentence.

'We were able to identify a problem with a part in the machine. However , when we replaced it, it didn't resolve the problem the machine has had.'

Nevertheless,

Used like 'however'. It can used in both the middle of a sentence (to connect the two parts/clauses) and at the beginning of a sentence to contrast what was stated/said in the previous sentence.

'The heating problems have been resolved in the building, nevertheless the heating will not be turned on until tomorrow morning.'

Nonetheless,

Is used in exactly the same way as 'nevertheless'.

'The heating problems have been resolved in the building, nonetheless the heating will not be turned on until tomorrow morning.'

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But – Synonyms

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In general, the word “but” is a conjunction used to connect and contrast two ideas, sentences, or clauses. It indicates a contrasting relationship between two parts of a sentence, in which the second part contradicts the first. “But” can have a variety of meanings.

Another word for “but” is although or except. However, more synonyms will be listed in this article.

On our overview page for synonyms, you can find the best options of synonyms for a vast variety of words that are used in academic writing .

To the overview page for synonyms

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 “But” – General synonyms
• 2 “But” – Synonyms used in academic writing

“But” – General synonyms

The following illustrates other words for “but” that may be used in everyday conversation as well as in academic writing.

“But” synonyms in the sense of yet

Synonyms of the word “but” in the sense of yet are:

• Nevertheless
• All the same
• For all that
• In spite of that
• Despite that
• Be that as it may

“But” synonyms in the sense of except

Synonyms of the word “but” in the sense of except are:

• Except (for)
• With the exception of
• Disregarding
• Not including
• Passing over

“But” synonyms in the sense of only

Synonyms of the word “but” in the sense of only are:

“But” – Synonyms used in academic writing

In an academic context, the word “but” can be used to connect two conflicting or contrasting ideas or to introduce limitations, exceptions, or qualifications to a statement. “But” should be used in an appropriate context suited for the tone and formality of academic papers. Synonyms for “but” used in academic writing will be shown below.

Are you looking for suitable synonyms for “but” for your academic paper? Have a look at the table below with the top suggestions from our BachelorPrint-Team .

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16 useful synonyms for but

Hello lovely students! Do you say the word but a lot when you are speaking English? And are you tired of it? Well, you may not be the only one. The word but is one of the most overused words in the English language. Read alternatives to the short, three-letter word below.

But as a conjunction

But as a prepostion

But as an adverb

What is but and where did it come from?

The etymology of but , stems from the old English word butan, which dates back to before the 12th century. In Middle English, the word had three three labels: buten, boute and bouten (make sure you do not use these). Soon after, it turned into but.

There are three key ways you can use but ; as a conjunction (the most common use), as a preposition and lastly as an adverb.

Are you ready to get started? Let’s go.

As mentioned before, this is the most common use of but . Here but functions as a contrasting conjunction – that is a conjunction used to connect ideas and arguments that contrast. It has a lot of different synonyms. Each synonym can be used in a slightly different way in a phrase. However, they still have the same meaning.

Look at this table of the synonyms for but, example phrases, and where to put them in a sentence.

Exceptions to using but as a conjunction

Of course there are exceptions to this. It is English after all! Let’s take a closer look.

1) Even so and all the same

In spoken English, we tend to use these phrases with the word we are trying to avoid: but.

The formula looks like this: first clause + but + even so/all the same + rest of second clause. 

Why do we do it? We insert ‘but’ here for further exaggeration of contrast. Take a look at the example sentences.

I felt like an exception, but all the same , no one said anything bad.

The statement made in the speech was contrary to everything previously talked about, but even so, the client liked it.

These two sentences make complete sense and have the same significance as the sentences above where all the same and even so are separated from the first clause by a full stop.

2) Notwithstanding

Notwithstanding is rarely used in spoken English anymore and is quite an old term. If you’re looking to improve your writing skills, however, this is a great conjunction to use.

Usually except is used after the comma concluding the first clause. Nevertheless, we can change this by simply adding the word for before an object pronoun. 

The formula is this: except for + me/him/her/them/you/us, + second clause.

Except for me, everyone spoke American English.

Please note, when using this structure, ‘except for me’ is synonymous with apart from.

Apart from me, everyone spoke American English.

Take 5: look through this table again and the exceptions to really grasp the meaning. A good way to do this is to copy the table. 

But as a preposition 

But i sn’t only used as a conjunction. It is also used as a preposition. You’ll be pleased to know, however, that the rules on positioning but as a preposition in a sentence are a lot easier than if you use it as a conjunction. 

There are two ways you can do this. 

1) First clause, + synonym for but + rest of second clause.

2) Synonym for but + rest of first clause + second clause.

This rule applies to all of them and there are no exceptions. 

Last, but definitely not least, we have our section on but as an adverb. 

Similar to  but as a preposition, the sentence structure for this is very easy to remember. It goes something like this: subject + verb to be + synonym for but + rest of clause. 

You may be wondering, why do we not use but instead? It is a lot more simple to learn.

The reason is that if we put but into one of these sentences, it makes us sound like we are speaking very old English, say from the 18th century. Take the example used in the simply row.

The fact is simply there to help you.

If we changed this to but, it would become; The fact is but  there to help you.

Now, I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sound correct, even though it is. It is because the English language is evolving and putting but as an adverb is becoming rarer. Also, as we said before, it does sound old. We don’t all speak like we are in a Jane Austen novel, you know!

Take 5: go over these tables with someone you know. Get them to test you on a section (conjunction, preposition, or adverb). They should ask you for the synonyms, an example and the position. A good way to remember this is by using the term S.E.P (synonym, example, position). 

What did you think?

We hope you learnt a lot about one of the most commonly used words in English and that you can now think of other words for but . If you can think of any more examples, please put them in the comments below.

Is that everything?

Absolutely not! For more engaging, English content check out my YouTube channel English with Lucy.

Related posts:

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• Phrasal verbs list

Alternatives to BUT! Use better words in English ✅

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Lesson overview.

BUT is a common English word, so today, I want you to learn 12 alternatives to BUT, so that you can expand your vocabulary and use more words in English!

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It’s time to increase your vocabulary and sound more intelligent with these 12 alternatives to BUT & BUT NOT:

• That said …
• Nevertheless …
• Conversely …
• On the other hand …
• Excluding …
• Except for …
• Apart from …

Video Transcript Section 1 Hey there I’m Emma from mmmEnglish and in today’s lesson, we’re gonna look at this small but very important word and we’re gonna learn twelve better ways to say but. Well, maybe not better but definitely different and definitely more interesting.

But is an incredibly useful word and we use it a lot in English. But if you want to bring your English up to the next level and you want to expand your vocabulary, learning some alternative words and some expressions to use instead of but is an excellent way to do it.

So are you ready to stop saying but?

Let’s dive in.

Let me start by saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with using but. English speakers use but all the time but by adding some variety to your vocabulary and expanding the range of English words that you use regularly will help you to sound less repetitive, less robotic when you’re speaking. Plus it’s fun to try new things.

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In this lesson, I’m gonna start with the most casual words and phrases that you can use instead of but. But as we go further through the lesson they’re going to get a little more formal and perhaps there’ll be some new ones that you’re not super familiar with.

I’m going to use this little scale down here to help explain how formal or how informal something is. The scale’s out of five with one being the most informal and five being the most formal.

Though Nevertheless

Though, for example, is really quite casual but nevertheless is really quite formal.

We can use though and although instead of but to show contrast.

• I wanted an ice cream but I didn’t have any money.
• I wanted an ice cream though I didn’t have any money.

Both though  and although are more flexible than but because they can go in the middle of the sentence like we see here or at the beginning of our sentence like this.

• Although I didn’t have any money, I wanted an ice cream.

Though can even go right at the very end.

• I wanted an ice cream, I didn’t have any money though.

In spoken English though is more common than although.

Although is slightly more formal.

Actually I want to talk specifically about though especially when it comes at the end of the sentence because it is so common in spoken English.

You’ve probably heard it before and maybe you’ve wondered what on earth it meant or maybe you thought it was one of those things that native speakers say even though it’s not proper grammar.

It is though! It is proper grammar.

Having though at the end of a sentence like this indicates a contrast or an opposing idea in exactly the same way as we use but.

You thought it wasn’t proper grammar but it is or: It is though.

Here’s a good one! We can use the phrase that said when we speak and we use it to add an opinion that contrasts something that has just been said.

• I like working from home. That said, I miss socialising in the office.

We can use the adverb however in the same way but however is slightly more formal and we can use it in both written English and spoken English.  That said is mainly used in spoken English.

• I like working from home however I miss socialising in the office.

However’s position in the sentence is a little bit more flexible. We can put it at the beginning of our sentence between the subject and a verb or at the end of a sentence as well.

On the one hand / On the other hand

I wonder if you know this one.

On the one hand and on the other hand is a two-part phrase and it shows the difference between points of view or different facts.

• On the one hand, I’d like to earn more money.
• On the other hand, I don’t want to work 40 hours a week.

You may hear just the second part of this expression used particularly in spoken English, it’s really common for native speakers just to drop the first part and then say on the other hand, as they mentioned the alternative fact, the different fact.

You’ll also commonly hear and or but added as well. It just helps the sentence to flow better and to sound a little bit more natural.

• I’d like to earn more money but on the other hand , I don’t want to work a 40-hour week.

Now things are starting to get a little more formal.

Yet is another alternative to but. It’s a linking word just like but. We use it in exactly the same way.

• A corkscrew is a simple yet effective tool.

Just like but, yet can link two sentences, two clauses or two words of the same grammatical type together. So two adjectives, two nouns or two sentences as long as they’re the same type. And that’s why you’ll always find but and yet in the middle of a sentence.

• The cafe was busy  yet calm.

Yet is definitely more formal than but, we use it to draw attention to something, an interesting fact or maybe an observation and because it’s a little less common than but, it’s gonna help you to sound a little more formal while you’re speaking or you’re writing.

Conversely. Is that new for you? Conversely means in an opposite way. We can use it to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what we’ve just said.

• In 2020 parts of Australia experienced terrible bushfires. Conversely, those same areas are now experiencing flooding.

Conversely can be quite formal and so it’s often used in written English, not usually spoken.

Nevertheless

Nevertheless is a much more formal way of saying but. Can you say it with me? Nevertheless.

It’s used in writing and especially in academic English. It would probably sound a little bit strange if you just slipped that into an everyday conversation with someone, your neighbour for example.

Nevertheless is an adverb so we can place it in a few different parts of our English sentences. It can come at the beginning of a clause.

• We had a tiny chance of winning that match. Nevertheless, the loss was still disappointing.

Or we can put it at the end of a sentence.

• We had a tiny chance of winning that match. The loss was disappointing nevertheless.

Sometimes we use  but not to exclude something or not include it.

• The library is open daily but not Sundays.

So the library is open every day excluding Sunday.

So when this is the case, we can replace but not with a number of different expressions and we’re going to focus on those now.

Except for Apart from

Except for and apart from are definitely less formal and they’re quite neutral as well. You can use them in both formal and informal situations.

• I’ve just finished all the presentation slides except for the last two.

Bar, on the other hand, is the most formal. You would probably use it at a work setting, you know in a professional context or perhaps informal or academic writing.

Have you heard of this word before? Have you heard it used in this way?

• I finished all the presentation slides bar the last two.

So that’s it! Twelve alternatives to  but. But is so common in English and it means that learning some of these alternatives will really help you to step up your conversation skills.

And if that sounds like something you want to do make sure you check out this lesson next . Hit subscribe, give this video a like.

Thank you for being here. I’ll see you in the next lesson!

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But Synonyms

• on-the-other-hand
• in-contrast
• nevertheless
• on-the-contrary
• but as you see
• exclusively
• no other than
• disregarding
• not including
• not taking into account
• leaving out of consideration
• with the exception of
• not-to-mention
• passing-over
• setting-aside
• nonetheless
• omitting (to mention)

Words Related to But

Related words are words that are directly connected to each other through their meaning, even if they are not synonyms or antonyms. This connection may be general or specific, or the words may appear frequently together.

But Sentence Examples

She objected at first, but finally submitted.

It was going to be nice having nothing to do but enjoy their little family for the next two weeks.

But he was anxious to learn.

He said no more, but expressed his resignation to cruel fate by a gesture.

It is a beautiful day, but yesterday it was cold.

Related Articles

But Is Also Mentioned In

• Blighty one
• share house
• head-of-state
• quirkyalone
• aminoimidazole

Words near But in the Thesaurus

• Butcher Cumberland

Synonyms of essay

• as in article
• as in attempt
• as in to attempt
• More from M-W
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Thesaurus Definition of essay

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dissertation
• composition
• prolegomenon
• undertaking
• trial and error
• experimentation

Thesaurus Definition of essay  (Entry 2 of 2)

• have a go at
• try one's hand (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb essay differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of essay are attempt , endeavor , strive , and try . While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

When might attempt be a better fit than essay ?

While the synonyms attempt and essay are close in meaning, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to essay ?

Although the words endeavor and essay have much in common, endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

When is strive a more appropriate choice than essay ?

While in some cases nearly identical to essay , strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

How do try and attempt relate to one another, in the sense of essay ?

Try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

Examples of essay in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'essay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Articles Related to essay

To 'Essay' or 'Assay'?

You'll know the difference if you give it the old college essay

Thesaurus Entries Near essay

Cite this entry.

“Essay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essay. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on essay

Nglish: Translation of essay for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of essay for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essay

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Synonyms for But also

145 other terms for but also - words and phrases with similar meaning.

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• Writing Tips

Vocabulary Tips: Alternatives to ‘But’ for Academic Writing

• 3-minute read
• 19th February 2017

You’ll use some terms frequently in your written work . ‘But’ is one of these words: the twenty-second most common word in English, in fact!

Consequently, you shouldn’t worry too much about repetition of ‘but’ in your writing . But if you find yourself using it in every other sentence, you might want to try a few alternatives. How about the following?

Other Conjunctions

‘But’ is a conjunction (i.e. a linking word) used to introduce a contrast.

For example, we might use it in a sentence expressing contrasting opinions about Queen guitarist Brian May:

I like Brian May, but I find his hair ridiculous.

One option to reduce repetition of ‘but’ in writing is to use the word ‘yet’:

I like Brian May, yet I find his hair ridiculous.

‘Yet’ can often replace ‘but’ in a sentence without changing anything else, as both are coordinating conjunctions that can introduce a contrast.

Alternatively, you could use one of these subordinating conjunctions :

• Although (e.g. I like Brian May, although I find his hair ridiculous .)
• Though (e.g. I like Brian May, though I find his hair ridiculous. )
• Even though (e.g. I like Brian May, even though I find his hair ridiculous. )

As subordinating conjunctions, these terms can also be used at the start of a sentence. This isn’t the case with ‘but’, though:

Though I like Brian May, I find his hair ridiculous. – Correct

But   I like Brian May, I find his hair ridiculous. – Incorrect

Other subordinating conjunctions used to introduce a contrast include ‘despite’ and ‘whereas’. If using ‘despite’ in place of ‘but’, you may need to rephrase the sentence slightly. For instance:

Find this useful?

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Despite liking Brian May, I find his hair ridiculous.

I like Brian May’s guitar solos, whereas I find his hair ridiculous.

How to Use ‘However’

One common replacement for ‘but’ in academic writing is ‘however’. But we use this adverb to show that a sentence contrasts with something said previously. As such, rather than connecting two parts of a sentence, it should only be used after a semicolon or in a new sentence:

I like Brian May’s guitar solos. However , I find his hair ridiculous.

I like Brian May’s guitar solos; however , I find his hair ridiculous.

‘However’ can be used mid-sentence, separated by commas. Even then, though, you should separate the sentence in which it appears from the one with which it is being contrasted. For instance:

I like Brian May’s guitar solos. I do, however , find his hair ridiculous.

Here, again, the ‘however’ sentence contrasts with the preceding one.

Other Adverbial Alternatives to ‘But’

Other contrasting adverbs and adverbial phrases can be used in similar ways to ‘however’ above. Alternatives include:

• Conversely ( I like Brian May’s guitar solos. Conversely , I find his hair ridiculous. )
• Nevertheless ( I like Brian May; nevertheless , I find his hair ridiculous. )
• In contrast ( I like Brian May’s guitar solos. In contrast , I find his hair ridiculous. )

One popular phrase for introducing a contrast is ‘on the other hand’. In formal writing, though, this should always follow from ‘on the one hand’:

On the one hand , I like Brian May’s music, so I do admire him. On the other hand , his hairstyle is terrifying, so I do worry about him .

And if you’re not sure which terms to use as alternatives to ‘but’ in your writing, having a document proofread by the experts can help.

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Other PFT Content

• Mike Florio ,

• Josh Alper ,

NFL explains new Terms of Service by pointing to other sports leagues

• Mike Florio

Earlier this month, the NFL sent out an email blast communicating to NFL.com users an update to the Terms of Service .

Said the email: “We have made important updates to our Terms of Service that govern your use of the websites, mobile applications, and other online and mobile services operated by NFL Enterprises LLC. The updates include changes to ‘Section 16. Limitation of Liability’ and the terms governing how disputes are handled, which are set forth in ‘Section 18. Choice of Law, Class Action Waiver, Small Claims, and Arbitration’ and “Section 19. Mandatory Pre-dispute Resolution Process.”

We wrote something about it . We also asked the league why the change was made. The specific questions were this: (1) “Can I get a comment/explanation/anything on the reasons for the TOS update and the timing of its release via email to users?"; and (2) “Basically, what is the purpose of it, and why now?”

Here’s the response: “The league has made periodic updates to the terms. The changes bring them in line with those of the other major sports leagues which have made similar changes to their terms. You mentioned the class action waiver provision and a relation to the Sunday Ticket case. The class action waiver had been in the terms since 2016 or 2017.”

Because the new Terms of Service don’t reveal the actual revisions to the old Terms of Service, it’s impossible to know how the section that includes the class action waiver. But the section including the class action waiver has definitely changed, per the plain terms of the email.

It’s unclear whether the new Terms of Service would apply to NFL.com users who purchase Sunday Ticket through YouTube. Nothing stops the league from trying.

The new Terms of Service more clearly apply to products sold directly by the league to NFL.com users, such as NFL+. Which could potentially create an antitrust issue for the league.

If, for example, a fan wants to watch recorded versions of past games from only one team but the fan must buy access to all past games of all teams, that could be an issue.

Regardless, the league has changed the Terms of Service. And the NFL basically says it’s just keeping up with other leagues.

The timing remains curious, to say the least. It happened after, not before, the NFL absorbed a $4.7 billion antitrust verdict in the Sunday Ticket case. And even though the presiding judge threw out the verdict because he decided the expert testimony on financial damages wasn’t good enough (after he decided it was), the league has lingering exposure under the out-of-market package. The Terms of Service might be aimed at trying to plug potential holes that could lead to more lawsuits.

Whether a judge gives any credence to the laundry list of fine-print provisions that no one will ever read remains to be seen. Still, it’s there for a reason.

Disney, for example, recently argued that a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the estate of a woman who died after eating at a Disney World restaurant should be sent to arbitration because she had agreed to the Disney+ Terms of Service. Although Disney has backpedaled after the tactic generated bad publicity, it’s an example of why and how such terms are foisted upon consumers.

Big companies want to avoid juries at all costs. And so they do what they can to stack the deck against anyone who might ever sue them in court. Regardless of whether the NFL will try to use the new Terms of Service in response to future Sunday Ticket antitrust cases, the changes were made for a reason. And the NFL’s decision to send an email to all NFL.com users alerting them of the changes is just another box to check on the way to laying the foundation to unleashing courtroom checkmate on any customer who dares to file suit.

So, yeah, Football is Family. Also, Terms and Conditions apply.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of other in English

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other determiner ( ADDITIONAL )

• Circulars and other junk mail go straight in the bin .
• The site links to about 24 other sites offering clip art .
• This drug can be safely used in combination with other medicines .
• The country has vast oil reserves and rich deposits of other minerals .
• Mr Savino has been charged with three murders as well as a whole slew of other crimes .
• additionally

other determiner ( OPPOSITE )

• I saw him at the other end of the street .
• I saw him on the other side of the room .
• We rowed across to the other bank .
• If I saw him, I'd cross to the other side of the street .
• He's at the other end of the political spectrum from me.
• across country idiom
• catty-corner
• give onto something
• kitty-corner

other determiner ( DIFFERENT )

• All her life she had a childlike trust in other people .
• There's no harm in applying for other jobs , but if I were you, I wouldn't advertise the fact at work .
• The professor was a real Jekyll and Hyde - sometimes kind and charming , and at other times rude and obnoxious .
• The president urged other countries to lift the trade restrictions .
• Children need to be taught to have respect for other people's property .
• alternative
• disjunctive
• disparately
• make a distinction between something
• make the difference idiom
• unrecognizably
• unreflective
• unrepresentative
• unrepresentativeness
• unstandardized

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

• I lived on my own for a while but I missed the companionship of others.
• Perhaps some systems of government are more corruptible than others.
• This is one possible solution to the problem . However, there are others.
• Some words are more difficult to spell than others.
• Some college courses have stiffer entry requirements than others.
• At the top of the hill I switched off the engine and we just coasted down the other side .
• Trouble broke out in the match when one of the players called a member of the other team a cheat .
• When you run , each foot leaves the ground before the other comes down.
• This cable should have a plug at one end and a socket at the other.
• Roughly half (of) the class are Spanish and the others are a mixture of nationalities .
• (and) all the rest idiom
• be left phrase
• time capsule
• to the dregs
• unallocated
• against the current
• anomalously
• anti-conventional
• depart from something
• differ between something
• differ from something
• non-complementary
• non-conventional
• non-identity
• non-representative

other | American Dictionary

Other pronoun ( part of a set ), other adjective [not gradable] ( more ), other adjective [not gradable] ( different ), other adjective [not gradable] ( part of a set ), other | business english, translations of other.

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

out of harm's way

in a position that is safe from harm or from which harm cannot be done

Trial, judge, and jury: talking about what happens when a criminal is caught

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• other (ADDITIONAL)
• other (OPPOSITE)
• the other side/end (of something )
• other (DIFFERENT)
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Advertisement

noun as in written discourse

Strongest matches

• dissertation

Strong matches

• composition
• disquisition
• explication

noun as in try, attempt

• undertaking

Weak matches

• one's all
• one's level best

verb as in try, attempt

• have a crack
• have a shot
• make a run at
• put to the test
• take a stab at
• take a whack at

Example Sentences

As several of my colleagues commented, the result is good enough that it could pass for an essay written by a first-year undergraduate, and even get a pretty decent grade.

GPT-3 also raises concerns about the future of essay writing in the education system.

This little essay helps focus on self-knowledge in what you’re best at, and how you should prioritize your time.

As Steven Feldstein argues in the opening essay, technonationalism plays a part in the strengthening of other autocracies too.

He’s written a collection of essays on civil engineering life titled Bridginess, and to this day he and Lauren go on “bridge dates,” where they enjoy a meal and admire the view of a nearby span.

I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.

The current attack on the Jews,” he wrote in a 1937 essay, “targets not just this people of 15 million but mankind as such.

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

To be honest, I think a lot of good essay writing comes out of that.

Someone recently sent me an old Joan Didion essay on self-respect that appeared in Vogue.

There is more of the uplifted forefinger and the reiterated point than I should have allowed myself in an essay.

Consequently he was able to turn in a clear essay upon the subject, which, upon examination, the king found to be free from error.

It is no part of the present essay to attempt to detail the particulars of a code of social legislation.

But angels and ministers of grace defend us from ministers of religion who essay art criticism!

It is fit that the imagination, which is free to go through all things, should essay such excursions.

Related Words

Words related to essay are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word essay . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in point or direct at a goal

• concentrate
• contemplate
• set one's sights on

noun as in piece of writing

• think piece

verb as in try, make effort

• do level best
• exert oneself
• give a fling
• give a whirl
• give best shot
• give it a go
• give it a try
• give old college try
• go the limit
• have a go at
• shoot the works
• take best shot
• try one's hand at

Viewing 5 / 74 related words

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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IMF Working Papers

Taming public debt in europe: outlook, challenges, and policy response.

Author/Editor:

Saioa Armendariz ; Ezequiel Cabezon ; Larry Q Cui ; Silvia Domit ; Alina Iancu ; Giacomo Magistretti ; Rohan Srinivas ; Yu Ching Wong

Publication Date:

August 23, 2024

Electronic Access:

Free Download . Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Public debt ratios in Europe increased significantly in response to the pandemic and energy shocks and have remained higher than before the pandemic in most countries. Going forward, the projected public debt trajectories are broadly flat overall in advanced Europe but have a rising profile in emerging Europe. Government financing needs are still elevated, and the unwinding of quantitative easing by major central banks adds to financing pressures. Moreover, there are important medium- to long-term spending pressures from defense, climate transition, and aging, which are not fully reflected in the projected baseline trajectories. Against this backdrop, the risk that debts will not stabilize in the medium term has increased. Debt stabilization will hinge critically on achieving ambitious fiscal consolidation and sustained growth. Facing these elevated risks, policymakers need to implement carefully-calibrated fiscal adjustments that ensure debt sustainability while supporting growth. They could target debt stabilization over a longer, 10-year, horizon—while adhering to credible fiscal rules such as the reformed EU Economic Governance Framework—but with a high probability to reassure markets that debts will indeed be tamed.

Working Paper No. 2024/181

Fiscal consolidation Fiscal policy Fiscal stance Public debt

9798400285806/1018-5941

WPIEA2024181

Please address any questions about this title to [email protected]