but，一个简单却重要的词汇
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
The simple, three-letter word "but" might not sound or look special, interesting or beautiful. But this little word can be a powerful force in writing and in speaking. It can play an important part in creating colorful, interesting sentences. In this Everyday Grammar, we will explore how a simple connecting word makes for a good storytelling.
The grammar connection
The word "but" has many uses. It can act as a coordinating conjunction, preposition, adverb, and sometimes even a noun ― as in the expression “No ifs ands or buts about it!”
For today's report, let’s explore the part “but” plays as a coordinating conjunction. A conjunction joins two things together.
When acting as a coordinating conjunction, “but” is used to add information to an earlier statement that usually contrasts with it in some way.
We often use “but” to connect two clauses, or groups of words that have a subject and a predicate. Consider these lines from “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, but the mountain was bare of human life.”
The first clause starts with “John strained his eyes” and the second clause starts with “but the mountain.”
The first part of the sentence suggests an effort ― straining of the eyes. The second part of the sentence suggests that the effort was to no use ― John did not see anyone.
Consider how the sentence might have been different if “but” were not used. It might be something like this:
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, and he didn't see anyone.”
This sentence is much less interesting. Let's explore why.
Storytelling
In the book Storyworthy, the American storyteller Matthew Dicks described a few words that can bring a story to life. One of these words is “but.”
Dicks says “but” has an interesting effect on the reader or listener. The words that come before “but” create an expectation. What comes after “but” goes against the expectation. This creates interest between statements and ideas.
Other common conjunctions, such as “and,” do not have the same effect, Dicks believes. Speaking or writing that uses “and” too much becomes more like a list ― and lists are not very interesting.
An exercise
Now, it’s your turn to do an exercise. Take these two statements and connect them using “but.” You can pause the audio after the second statement if you need more time before hearing the answer.
She said she had lost their address long ago.
A few days later it miraculously turned up.
Here is one way to connect the two statements. It comes from the short story, “That in Aleppo Once” by Vladimir Nabokov:
“She said she had lost their address long ago, but a few days later it miraculously turned up.”
Closing thoughts
This report is not only about telling stories. It is also about exploring connections between ideas. Such connections are important for expressing more complex language in writing and in speaking.
Remember, like any word or structure, it is good to use “but” in the correct amount. It is like cooking. You need the right amounts of the right ingredients to get a nice finished product. If you add too much of any one thing, the result might not be very good.
The next time you read stories or listen to English speakers, pay careful attention to how they use “but.” It’s a small, simple word, but it can bring variety and richness to your language.
I'm John Russell.
VOCABULARY
1. coordinating conjunction: (grammar) a word such as “and” , “but” , or “or” , that connects clauses or sentences of equal importance 并列连词
2. strain v. to make an effort to do sth., using all your mental or physical strength 尽力；竭力；使劲。例如：I strained my ears to catch what they were saying. 我竖起耳朵去听他们在说些什么。
3. miraculous adj. like a miracle; completely unexpected and very lucky 奇迹般的；不可思议的；不平凡的。例如：She’s made a miraculous recovery. 她奇迹般地康复了。
4. ingredient n. one of the things or qualities that are necessary to make sth. successful（成功的）因素，要素。例如：the essential ingredients for success成功的基本要素
QUESTIONS
Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.
The simple, three-letter word “but” might not sound or look special, interesting or beautiful. But this little word can be a powerful force (Q1) ___________________. It can play an important part in creating colorful, interesting sentences. In this Everyday Grammar, we will explore how a simple connecting word makes for a good storytelling.
The grammar connection
The word “but” has many uses. It can act as a (Q2) ______________________ conjunction, preposition, adverb, and sometimes even a noun ― as in the expression “No ifs ands or buts about it!”
For today’s report, let’s explore the part “but” plays as a coordinating conjunction. A conjunction joins two things together.
When acting as a coordinating conjunction, “but” is used to (Q3) __________________________ that usually contrasts with it in some way.
We often use “but” to connect two (Q4) _____________________________ that have a subject and a predicate. Consider these lines from “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, but the mountain was bare of human life.”
The first clause starts with “John strained his eyes” and the second clause starts with “but the mountain.”
The first part of the sentence suggests an effort ― straining of the eyes. The second part of the sentence suggests that the effort was to no use ― John did not see anyone.
Consider how the sentence might have been different if “but” were not used. It might be something like this:
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, and he didn’t see anyone.”
This sentence is much less interesting. Let’s explore why.
Storytelling
In the book Storyworthy, the American storyteller Matthew Dicks described a few words that can bring a story to life. One of these words is “but.”
Dicks says “but” has an interesting effect on the (Q5) ________________________. The words that come before “but” create an expectation. What comes after “but” goes against the expectation. This creates interest between (Q6) __________________________.
Other common conjunctions, such as “and,” do not have the same effect, Dicks believes. Speaking or writing that uses “and” too much becomes more like a list ― and lists are not very interesting.
An exercise
Now, it’s your turn to do an exercise. Take these two statements and connect them using “but.” You can pause the audio after the second statement if you need more time before hearing the answer.
She said she had lost their address long ago.
A few days later it miraculously turned up.
Here is one way to connect the two statements. It comes from the short story, “That in Aleppo Once” by Vladimir Nabokov:
“She said she had lost their address long ago, (Q7) ________________ a few days later it miraculously turned up.”
Closing thoughts
This report is not only about telling stories. It is also about (Q8) __________________________ between ideas. Such connections are important for expressing more complex language in writing and in speaking.
Remember, like any word or structure, it is good to use “but” in the correct amount. It is like cooking. You need the right amounts of the right (Q9) ______________________ to get a nice finished product. If you add too much of any one thing, the result might not be very good.
The next time you read stories or listen to English speakers, pay careful attention to how they use “but.” It’s a small, simple word, but it can bring (Q10) ________________________ to your language.
I’m John Russell.
KEY
Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.
The simple, three-letter word “but” might not sound or look special, interesting or beautiful. But this little word can be a powerful force (Q1) in writing and in speaking. It can play an important part in creating colorful, interesting sentences. In this Everyday Grammar, we will explore how a simple connecting word makes for a good storytelling.
The grammar connection
The word “but” has many uses. It can act as a (Q2) coordinating conjunction, preposition, adverb, and sometimes even a noun ― as in the expression “No ifs ands or buts about it!”
For today’s report, let’s explore the part “but” plays as a coordinating conjunction. A conjunction joins two things together.
When acting as a coordinating conjunction, “but” is used to (Q3) add information to an earlier statement that usually contrasts with it in some way.
We often use “but” to connect two (Q4) clauses, or groups of words that have a subject and a predicate. Consider these lines from “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, but the mountain was bare of human life.”
The first clause starts with “John strained his eyes” and the second clause starts with “but the mountain.”
The first part of the sentence suggests an effort ― straining of the eyes. The second part of the sentence suggests that the effort was to no use ― John did not see anyone.
Consider how the sentence might have been different if “but” were not used. It might be something like this:
“John strained his eyes to see whether there might be men coming down the mountain, and he didn't see anyone.”
This sentence is much less interesting. Let’s explore why.
Storytelling
In the book Storyworthy, the American storyteller Matthew Dicks described a few words that can bring a story to life. One of these words is “but.”
Dicks says “but” has an interesting effect on the (Q5) reader or listener. The words that come before "but" create an expectation. What comes after “but” goes against the expectation. This creates interest between (Q6) statements and ideas.
Other common conjunctions, such as “and,” do not have the same effect, Dicks believes. Speaking or writing that uses “and” too much becomes more like a list ― and lists are not very interesting.
An exercise
Now, it’s your turn to do an exercise. Take these two statements and connect them using “but.” You can pause the audio after the second statement if you need more time before hearing the answer.
She said she had lost their address long ago.
A few days later it miraculously turned up.
Here is one way to connect the two statements. It comes from the short story, “That in Aleppo Once” by Vladimir Nabokov:
“She said she had lost their address long ago, (Q7) but a few days later it miraculously turned up.”
Closing thoughts
This report is not only about telling stories. It is also about (Q8) exploring connections between ideas. Such connections are important for expressing more complex language in writing and in speaking.
Remember, like any word or structure, it is good to use “but” in the correct amount. It is like cooking. You need the right amounts of the right (Q9) ingredients to get a nice finished product. If you add too much of any one thing, the result might not be very good.
The next time you read stories or listen to English speakers, pay careful attention to how they use “but.” It’s a small, simple word, but it can bring (Q10) variety and richness to your language.
I'm John Russell.
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