Search from various English teachers...
Asahi SATO
My student question (2)
There is no one but commits errors.
Why do we use "but " as relative ?
Thanks!
Jun 18, 2024 3:28 AM
Answers · 6
1
Your sentence does not use "but" correctly.
"But" can be used to emphasize _impossibility_. For example, you can say
"one cannot but notice that it is going to rain soon"
to emphasize the impossibility of not noticing that it is going to rain soon".
A correct way to write your sentence is:
"One cannot but commit errors."
"One" is much better than "no one" because "no one" needlessly introduces a double negative.
June 19, 2024
1
We don't. This sentence is wrong.
I think "There is no one who doesn't commit errors." is what the sentence means.
June 18, 2024
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Asahi SATO
Language Skills
English, Japanese
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

Santa, St. Nicholas, or Father Christmas? How Christmas Varies Across English-Speaking Countries
3 likes · 0 Comments

Reflecting on Your Progress: Year-End Language Journal Prompts
2 likes · 1 Comments

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
25 likes · 17 Comments
More articles
