I hope you are having fun learning English with us.

Today we are going to learn how to use a linking word. And the word is ‘but’.

You might already be using it in your conversations.

Now it’s time to learn all about it so you can use it without making a mistake.

Listen to the lesson carefully, and make sure you repeat the phrases to improve your pronunciation.

At the end we’ll tell you about some words from this lesson.

so make sure you watch this lesson until the end.

Let’s get started!

Hey everybody!

Today we are going to talk about the correct use of the linking word ‘but’ in English conversations.

Hello guys! Yeah! I use it a lot you know?

It’s a very popular linking word, but if you are new to learning the language, you might make a mistake while using it.

So it’s best to learn how it’s used.

That’s correct! You’re already using ‘but’, Karen.

‘But’, is used to link two different ideas together.

Right Keith. It’s a word that links two sentences with contrasting ideas and makes them a single sentence.

For example, you are old but you are healthy!

What? I am not old Karen, but the use is correct!

‘You are old’ is one sentence, and ‘you are healthy’ is another sentence

When you link these sentences with ‘but’, you are pointing out the fact that there’s a contrast between the two ideas.

Old people aren’t always healthy.

Yeah, ‘but’ is used to point out the exceptions. Here’s some examples:

I don’t like vegetables but I like corn. I am young but I am wise

Great. Funny karen! But you're right again.

You are young which makes you unexperienced but you have wisdom that comes from experience and learning.

So it’s a contrasting idea. Good work there!

I told ya I am wise! So it’s a very easy concept to grasp, isn’t it?

Use ‘but’ to link two sentences with different ideas. Why don’t you give me a few examples, Keith?

Sure Karen! You are nerdy but you are cute; I don’t exercise but I am strong;

I don’t like vegetables but I like corn; I wake up early every day but I sleep late on Sundays.

Thank you Keith. Let’s listen to some conversations now.

Let’s order something. I’m starving!

So am I! What would you like to have?

I can eat anything but a sandwich

Why? What’s wrong with a sandwich?

Sweetie, I’ve been eating nothing but sandwiches all week. If I see another sandwich, I’ll puke.

Did you pack all the things I asked you to?

Yes I did but I haven’t packed your sandals.

Why not? I’ll need my sandals at the beach.

These are the dirtiest sandals I’ve seen. I am not packing them if you don’t wash them first.

But they’ll become wet, and then they’ll make everything else wet.

I’ll pack them in a plastic bag, so get to work now Nathan.

Did you check the laundry bucket thoroughly?

Yes, I did! I got nothing but a pair of old socks.

I don’t know where I left my wallet.

Are you sure you had it when you got home?

Yeah I am. I paid the cabbie when I got home.

So you brought the wallet home, but now it’s not here.

I’ve looked everywhere but the washroom. I am gonna check there.

When something is an exception, it doesn’t conform to an existing pattern or rule.

For example, a black swan is an exception, because swans are usually white.

To puke or to throw up is to vomit.

You might puke if you eat something that makes you ill, or if you drink too much.

Starving means to suffer from hunger.

It’s a very strong word and it’s used to talk about situations in which a person has to go without food for a very long time.

When somebody dies of hunger, they are said to have starved to death.

In casual conversations, we can say ‘I am starving’ to mean that we are very hungry.

To do something thoroughly is to do it completely.

To leave no detail unchecked, to make sure that no part of it is missing.

A wallet is commonly a small bag that used to keep things like money, credit cards etc.

People carry around wallets in their pockets or their handbags.

A cabbie is a cab driver or a taxi driver.

Thank you for watching this lesson. I hope you enjoyed it!

We’ll be back with a new one tomorrow. Make sure you come back and watch it!

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