Question. What is the difference between the conjunctions �but � and �yet � ?
In reply, I am in broad agreement with Bruce �Yanogator � and Lynne �Cunliffe �.
The word �but � is a conjunction, an adverb, and a preposition. The word �yet � is a conjunction and an adverb only. In this respect, the two words are certainly not totally interchangeable.
In my opinion, the two words, �but � and �yet �, as conjunctions, are very close in meaning. But, on occasions, there are subtle, unwritten/unspoken differences.
"The Chambers Thesaurus", Edition 4, 2012, gives synonyms for the two words.
BUT - conjunction. YET - conjunction.
but
however however
nevertheless nevertheless
nonetheless nonetheless
anyway anyway
even so even so
all the same all the same
just the same just the same
for all that for all that
Formal: notwithstanding Formal: notwithstanding
As you can see, according to the author, the word �but � is a synonym of �yet �, but the word �yet � is NOT a synonym of �but �.
Both words show a contrast between two things, usually.
Let us take a look at my example sentences, which use the conjunctions, �and �, �but �, and �yet �.
"She had five sons and she had five daughters." The reader can see that there is a comparison between the equal number of sons and the number of daughters.
"She had five sons but she had two daughters." The reader can see that there is a contrast between the unequal numbers of sons and the number of daughters.
"She had five sons yet she had two daughters." The reader may be able to see that there appears to be a greater contrast between the unequal numbers of sons and the number of daughters, but it is unwritten/unspoken.
If we change the sentence to: " ... yet she had only two daughters" the contrast becomes even greater.
If we take three more examples, but add comments after the sentences, perhaps differences between �but � and �yet � will become more evident to us.
"The man worked hard all his life, and ended with nothing ... how sad!"
"The man worked hard all his life, but ended with nothing ... life is often like that"
"The man worked hard all his life, yet ended with nothing ... I wonder why that happened? What went wrong?"
I suggest that the word �yet � implies an even stronger contrast than �but �. It also seems to hint at unspoken/unwritten/unanswered questions regarding the contrast.
Les Douglas
