Grammar Point with Enigma
Students,
Collocations are words that naturally go together or are commonly used together in a language.
In this lesson, we will focus on “but” collocations — that is, words and phrases that naturally collocate with but.
Here are some common examples:
1. All but – almost, nearly
He had all but given up hope.
2. Nothing but – only, solely
She eats nothing but vegetables.
3. But for – if it were not for
We would have been late but for the taxi driver.
4. No one but – only that person
No one but Enigma could have done it.
5. Anything but – definitely not
The task was anything but easy.
6. Everyone but – all except
Everyone but John attended the meeting.
7. All but one – everyone except one
They answered correctly, all but one.
8. None but – only, no one except
None but the brave shall pass.
9. Little else but – almost nothing except
The room contained little else but dust and cobwebs.
10. Hardly anything but – almost only
He spoke hardly anything but praise for her work.
11. No choice but to + verb – only one possible course of action
We had no choice but to cancel the trip.
12. No alternative but to + verb – only one possible option (formal)
They had no alternative but to negotiate.
Finally, remember: “no option” also naturally collocates with but in the same structure (no option but to…).
Cheers to learning!
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