Miho
I want to master how to use “but not”. Are the sentences below (1-4) correct and natural? Also, can I use “but not” in the both casual conversation and the formal conversation? I would appreciate it if native English speakers could help me. 1. I listen to many kinds of music but not jazz. 2. The food has arrived but not the food I ordered. 3. Everyone speaks English but not him. 4. I really want to visit Italy but not this year.
May 14, 2024 5:59 PM
Answers · 5
2
They are all grammatically correct, but not always how we would say it. [1] is good [2] is ambiguous : it could mean that others' food orders have arrived, but not mine, or it could mean that the food you ordered is not what has arrived. [3] would be better as 'everyone speaks English except him'. [4] is better written differently to indicate that you can't go this year, rather than that you don't want to go this year, assuming this is what you want to say.
May 14, 2024 9:19 PM
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