Englishfor English speakers
but
Coordinator
—
You use but to join two ideas and show that they are not the same.
I would take you there, but I do not have my car.
The changes were small but important.
"Do you speak French?" "No, but I speak Spanish."
It says this not in words but in pictures.
—
You use but to change the topic.
I understand. And I'm sorry. But there is nothing I can do about it now.
And that's important, but another thing that has changed is the location.
but
Preposition
—
except
He ate everything but the meat.
Any day but tomorrow would be fine.
I forgot my bag. I guess there's nothing to do but go back.
but
Adverb
—
only
There is but one sun and one earth to live on.
now
Preposition
—
You use now when you want to say that something is true at this time. It is also used for things a short time in the future or a short time in the past.
I had many problems before, but I'm OK now.
What did you say just now?
The English teacher is at the library now.
—
You use now at the beginning of a sentence to get people's attention.
Now, I'd like to hear from other people too.