Practice
Alternatives to but: connect ideas more clearly
Sign in to saveThe café was crowded, but we found a table. You can express the contrast in other ways, but each alternative needs its own sentence pattern and shade of meaning.
Choose a natural alternative to but by checking whether you are joining equal clauses, introducing a contrast clause, comparing two sides, or excluding something.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
The route was longer. However, it was quieter. /ðə ruːt wəz ˈlɒŋɡə. haʊˈevə, ɪt wəz ˈkwaɪətə/
The short answer
Use however for a contrast across sentences, yet to join two equal clauses, and although or though before a contrast clause. Use on the other hand for two sides of a comparison and except for an exclusion.
The route was longer. However, it was quieter.
Why it works: However introduces a contrasting second sentence, so it is followed by a comma here.
4 more examples
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The plan was simple, yet it worked well.
Yet joins two equal clauses and makes the positive result sound unexpected.
Not this:The plan was simple.
However, it worked well. What changes: However can express the same basic contrast when the ideas are written as separate sentences. -
Although the store was busy, the clerk helped us quickly.
Although introduces the background clause before the main clause.
Not this:The store was busy,
butthe clerk helped us quickly. What changes: But joins two main clauses, while although starts a dependent clause. -
The apartment is small. On the other hand, it is close to work.
On the other hand presents a different side of the same decision.
Not this:The apartment is small,
butit is close to work. What changes: But gives a direct contrast; on the other hand gives the reader a second point to weigh. -
Everyone except Lina stayed after the meeting.
Except removes Lina from the group of people who stayed.
Not this:Everyone stayed after the meeting,
but Lina left early. What changes: But contrasts two actions; except simply states who is outside the group.
Read the full guide
Do not replace every but with the same word. First ask what the second idea does. Does it give an unexpected result, introduce a background clause, compare an advantage with a disadvantage, or name an exception? Then check the grammar after the linker. This prevents a correct word from appearing in the wrong place.
Choose the relationship before you choose the word
An alternative to but must match the job that but is doing. A surprising result needs a contrast linker. Two sides of a decision may need on the other hand. A person outside a group may need except. The words are not interchangeable.
The course was demanding. However, I enjoyed it.
The enjoyment is unexpected after a demanding course, so however can introduce the contrast.
Which relationship appears in Everyone except Noor received a badge?
It is an exclusion. Noor is outside the group that received a badge.
Use however to contrast complete statements
However usually connects a new complete statement with the idea before it. Put it after a full stop, or use it after a semicolon when the clauses are closely linked. A comma often follows however at the start of the second sentence.
The weather changed quickly. However, the match continued.
Both sides are complete sentences. However signals that the second fact is unexpected after the first.
The weather changed quickly; however, the match continued.
A semicolon can keep two closely connected clauses in one written sentence.
Can however directly replace but after a comma in The match was late, however it continued?
No. Use a full stop or semicolon before however, then add a comma after it when it begins the next clause.
Use yet to join an unexpected result
Yet can join two equal clauses in much the same position as but. It often gives the contrast a stronger sense of surprise. Do not use yet when you need to introduce a dependent clause.
The instructions were brief, yet everyone understood them.
The two parts can stand as separate sentences, so yet can join them with a comma.
The instructions were brief, but everyone understood them.
But is also correct here, but it gives a more neutral contrast.
Which word fits between two equal clauses when the second result is surprising?
Use yet: The task was difficult, yet the group finished early.
Use although and though before a clause
Although and though need a clause after them. A clause has a subject and a verb, such as the train was late. Put the contrast clause before or after the main clause. Do not add but to the main clause in this pattern.
Although the train was late, we arrived before noon.
Although starts the clause the train was late, so the main clause follows without but.
We arrived before noon though the train was late.
Though can introduce the contrast clause after the main clause as well.
Complete the sentence: ___ the train was late, we arrived before noon.
Use Although or Though. The words after the blank form a clause.
Use on the other hand to weigh two sides
On the other hand is useful when you present another side of the same choice. It often appears after one sentence and before another. It does more than show a quick contrast: it asks the reader to consider a different point.
The job offers flexible hours. On the other hand, the commute is long.
Flexible hours and a long commute are two points to consider before making a choice.
Would on the other hand fit after I wanted tea, in I wanted tea, on the other hand I ordered coffee?
Usually no. That sentence describes a change of action, not two sides of one decision.
Use except when you mean an exclusion
Except does not simply replace but. It means that one item is left out of a group. Put it before the person, thing, or phrase that is excluded. Use a contrast sentence with but when you need to describe a separate action or quality.
The library is open every day except Monday.
Monday is the one day outside the group of opening days.
The library is open on Monday, but it closes early.
But is needed here because the sentence contrasts the opening time with an early closing time.
Choose the word: All seats were taken ___ the one by the door.
Use except: All seats were taken except the one by the door.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose the linker from the relationship between the ideas. Use however between sentences, yet between equal clauses, and although or though before a clause. Use on the other hand when you weigh two sides. Use except when one item is outside a group. Check the punctuation and sentence pattern after you choose.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Alternatives to but: connect ideas more clearly"
What can I use instead of but?
Choose the word from the relationship between the ideas. However links a contrasting new statement, yet joins equal clauses, and although or though introduces a contrast clause. On the other hand compares two sides, while except names an item outside a group.
The route was longer. However, it was quieter.
What is the difference between but and however?
But usually joins two equal clauses in one sentence: The route was longer, but it was quieter. However normally begins a new contrasting statement: The route was longer. However, it was quieter. The meaning can be similar, but the punctuation and sentence structure change.
The route was longer, but it was quieter.
Can I use yet instead of but?
Yes, when you are joining two equal clauses and the second idea is unexpected. The plan was simple, yet it worked well is correct. Yet often gives the contrast a slightly stronger or more formal tone than but, so read the whole sentence to see whether it sounds natural.
The plan was simple, yet it worked well.
Why can I not use but with although?
Although already introduces the contrast clause. Say Although the store was busy, the clerk helped us quickly. You can instead write The store was busy, but the clerk helped us quickly. Do not combine although and but in the same sentence pattern.
The plan was simple. However, it worked well.
When should I use except instead of but?
Use except when one person, thing, time, or place is outside a group: The library is open every day except Monday. Use but when you need to contrast two actions or qualities, as in The library is open on Monday, but it closes early.
Although the store was busy, the clerk helped us quickly.