老师说,but与however都可表示转折,其中一个简单的区别就是,however后面要有逗号,而but后面不能用逗号。但是,看到了下面这个句子,but后却用了逗号:
But, three days later, a letter arrived, calling me to Groydon for an interview with the headmaster.
陈老师:
▲没错,but后面通常是不用逗号的,但下面一句中but后面的逗号用得是恰当的:
But, three days later, a letter arrived, calling me to Groydon foran interview with the headmaster.
比较下面一句(没有用逗号):
But a letter arrived three days later, calling me to Groydon for aninterview with the headmaster.
▲but后面使用逗号有多种原因,比如为了隔开某些前移的句子成分,或是其后跟了插入语,或是说话者希望在but后有所停顿,等等。例如:
The rain was heavy, but, contrary to our fears, our fields were notflooded. 雨很大,但是和我们担心的情况相反,我们的田地没有受淹。
But, even in Hollywood,there is no such thing as a free lunch. 但即使是在好莱坞也没有免费的午餐。
We have a lot to discuss, but,first things first, let’s have a cup of coffee! 我们有很多事情需要讨论,不过先让我们喝杯咖啡吧!
She not only deceived him but, to add insult to injury, allowed himto pay for her meal. 她不仅骗了他,更恶劣的是还让他付了饭钱。
He turned towards the open front door but, as he did so, she pushedpast him. 他转身走向开着的前门,但与此同时,她从他旁边挤过去了。
They tried to handcuff him but, despite his injuries, he fought hisway free. 他们试图把他铐起来,但尽管有伤在身,他还是奋力挣脱了。
Will you ask her? But, you know, only if she really doesn’t mind ifyou see what I mean. 你会问她吗?但是,你知道,只有她真的不介意你才能问,不知你是否懂我的意思。
Well, all right, hospitals lose money. But, on the other hand, ifpeople are healthy, don’t think of it as losing money; think of it as savinglives. 嗯,好吧,医院是赔钱。但从另一个角度看,如果人们都健健康康的,就不能认为是在赔钱,而应该想成是在救死扶伤。
曾老师:
however是副词,but是并列连词,所以but之后不能用逗号。你的这个例句中的but之后有逗号是因为在but与a letter arrived...之间插入了时间状语three days later。
x老师:
插入语必须用逗号隔开,不过这里这个逗号不是用来隔开but的,是用来隔开插入语的。
这让我想到不定式作结果状语要用逗号隔开,而作目的状语不需要用逗号隔开,有一年江苏考了这个,题目里有插入语,后面那个逗号紧跟空,答案但还是使用不定式作目的状语,因为那里的逗号不是用来隔开不定时的,而是用来隔开插入语的。是不是和这个很类似?
黎老师:
在but后面不能用逗号,在比较权威的英语辞书中都没有but 后面用逗号的例句。