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English Phrase: But for
Here we are.
We have a coordinating conjunction and a preposition – two of my students’ least favourite things in the entire world.
Now, I have to explain how to use these two highly disliked things together as a phrase.
I’ve put off writing this one.
Now it is the last one I have to do.
I’ve written all the others, but for this one, I can’t think of a sentence to use it in.
Oh, wait. Well, aren’t I a genius?
I used but for in a sentence without even trying.
So, what does it mean?
Well, the phrase but for means except for something and is used to introduce the only thing that prevents something else from happening or being true.
There you go. That’s easy enough to understand.
Of course, you would like more examples.
Let’s see.
Now, we are in a pandemic.
This pandemic would kill more of us but for the hard work and dedication of the medical staff in our hospitals.
Without the nurses and doctors, we’d be in much more trouble than we are facing right now.
Not enough, is it?
You want another one.
Well, the cherry blossoms have been in full bloom for a few days now, and the weather has been wet and rainy for the same amount of time.
But for the lack of sunshine, I would have gone to the local dam with Sorachan to enjoy a lovely afternoon whiling away the time under a cherry tree.
Take care and appreciate the nurses and doctors who we all depend so much on these days.
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Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 2nd-grade education (age 11).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 82.
The higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100, the easier the passage is to read.