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fanshining
How to understand these sentences ? p
Eg : Why should a sequence of words be anything but a pleasure?
My understanding is why should a sequence of words is everything but a pleasure.
But someone told me I was wrong , the sentence means "why should a sequence of words is nothing but pleasure"
But everything means anything , doesn't it ?
And another question :
1) I love nobody but you
2)I love anybody but you
Do the two sentences share the sane meaning ? then how about this one "I like everybody but you "
So can one give me others examples of this kind of sentences ?
Thank you in advance ~. ^ z ^
Sep 12, 2015 6:28 AM
Answers · 2
In the first sentence, "but" is used like "other than". "Why should a sequence of words be anything but a pleasure?" meaning that the speaker sees no reason for a sequence of words to be anything other than pleasure. A sequence of words is pleasure and nothing else.
Both of those sentences are a little awkward, however:
"I love nobody but you" means "You are the only person I love."
"I love anybody but you" means "You are the only person I don't love."
Again, "but" is being used in the "other than" sense. More natural ways to say those sentences:
"I don't love anybody/anyone but you" or simply "You're the only one I love."
"I love everybody/everyone except you."
September 12, 2015
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fanshining
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Japanese
Learning Language
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French
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