Meaning of but for | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Except, except for; save for; not counting; were it not for; had it not been for.
2. despite; in spite of

Equivalents

Examples

“I’d’ve attended but for the fact that the train⟳ was late.”

“I once did lend⟳ my body for his wealth, Which, but for him that had your husband's ring⟳, Had quite miscarried: […]”

“She had a woman to take⟳ care of her called Mrs Poole — an able woman in her line, and very trustworthy, but for one fault — a fault common to a deal⟳ of them nurses and matrons — she kept a bottle of gin by her, and now and then took a drop over-much.”

“But for that beneficent drug, not one of those men would have⟳ slept a moment during that fearful night.”

“In the whole extent of the house, which but for the old woman remained otherwise empty, Mr. Hyde had only used a couple of rooms; […]”

“In reconditioning existing locomotives, carriages and wagons, it is intended to replace⟳ obsolete types which would have⟳ been scrapped but for the war and to embody the latest scientific improvements.”

“But for the stinging cold of January, this Casanova would not have⟳ taken shelter⟳ behind the coffeehouse window, […].”

CEFR level