1. but作為并列連詞表示轉(zhuǎn)折時,可譯為“但(是)”、“可是”、“然而”等。如:
* Much of the gas separates when the oil reaches the surface but does so underground.
大部分石油氣是在石油到達地表面時分離的,但也有在地下分離的。
* The positive charges do not move about; but the electrons do.
正電荷不能到處移動,可是電子卻能到處移動。
* Different kinds of radiant energy seem very different from one another, but they share certain fundamental characteristics.
各種輻射能看上去很不相同,然而它們有一些共同的基本特點。
2. but作為并列連詞表示并列時,可譯為“而是”。如:
* The various relationships between electricity and magnetism are not independent of one another, but coherent and consistent.
電與磁之間的各種關(guān)系不是相互獨立的,而是協(xié)調(diào)一致的。
* Bionics is not a specialized science but an interscience discipline.
仿生學不是ー門單獨的學科,而是ー門邊緣學科。
3.“but that +從句”,后接虛擬句型,可譯為“假使……不”、“要不是”等。如:
* But that you cut the engine immediately, it would have burned out,
假使你不及時關(guān)掉發(fā)動機,那么發(fā)動機早就壞了。
* But that iron were brittle, it would have been possible to forge it.
要是鑄鐵不是脆的,便可以鍛造。