Structure of But For: Formula, usage, and detailed exercises

1. What is But For?

But for trong tiếng Anh có nghĩa là: Nếu không có điều gì đó, thì điều gì đó đã xảy ra (gần giống với nghĩa của cấu trúc without trong tiếng Anh.)

Ví dụ: But for being busy, I would have taken my dog ​​to the park. (Nếu mà không bận thì tôi đã dắt con chó của tôi đến công viên rồi.)

2. Usage and structure with But For

2.1 How to use But for

But for is used in the clause containing 'if', also known as the conditional clause, which means almost the same as If not: 'if this does not happen', 'if this obstacle is not present'.  

Ví dụ: Linda might take part in the contest but for her sickness. (Linda có thể đã tham gia cuộc thi nếu cô ấy không bị ốm.)

But for also means excluding something; in this case, 'but for' is synonymous with 'except for.'

Example: 

• But for her work, the content plan is generally finished. (Ngoại trừ phần việc của cô ấy (chưa làm xong), thì kế hoạch nội dung nhìn chung là hoàn thành rồi.)
• But for me, my sisters got married in my family. (Trừ tôi ra thì các chị gái trong nhà tôi đã kết hôn rồi.)

2.2 Sentence structure with But for

Conditional sentence type 2:

But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + V

Ví dụ: But for so many deadlines, I could take you to the supermarket. (Nếu không có quá nhiều deadlines, tôi đã dẫn bạn đến siêu thị.)

Conditional sentence type 3

But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + have PII

Ví dụ: But for my late arrival, I wouldn’t have missed the meeting = If I hadn’t arrived late, I wouldn’t have missed the meeting. (Nếu tôi không đến muộn thì tôi đã không lỡ cuộc họp.)

3. Guide to rewriting sentences with But for structure for conditional sentences

In practice, the But for structure can be replaced with “if it weren’t for” or “if it hadn’t been for” in conditional sentences while preserving the original meaning. 

3.1 In conditional sentence type 2

If it weren’t for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + V
If it weren’t for the fact that + S + V-ed, S + would/could/might/… + V
= But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + V

Ví dụ: But for my lack of confidence, I could be offered the position I dreamt of. (Nếu không vì sự tự ti của tôi, tôi đã có thể nhận được thăng chức thành Quản lý Kinh doanh.)

=> If it weren’t for my lack of confidence, I could achieve promotion to business management.

=> If it weren’t for my lack of self-assurance, I could be promoted to business management.

=> If it weren’t for the fact that I lacked confidence, I could be promoted to business management.

3.2 In conditional sentence type 3

If it hadn’t been for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + have PII
If it hadn’t been for the fact that + S + had PII, S + would/could/might/… + have PII
= But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + have PII

Ví dụ: But for her mother’s advice, Tina could have missed this opportunity. (Nếu không có lời khuyên của mẹ cô ấy, Tina đã có thể bỏ qua cơ hội này.)

=> If it hadn’t been for her mother’s advice, Tina might have missed this opportunity.

=> If it hadn’t been for receiving advice from her mother, Tina could have missed this opportunity.

=> If it hadn’t been for the fact that she received advice from her mother, Tina could have missed this opportunity.

Points to consider when using 

Some helpful tips to make it easier to use the but for structure in English.

• Nếu mệnh đề but for đứng đầu câu thì sẽ ngăn cách với mệnh đề sau bằng dấu phẩy. Ví dụ: But for my sister’s help, I couldn’t have done the homework. (Nếu không có sự giúp đỡ của chị gái, tôi đã không thể hoàn thành bài tập về nhà.)
• Mệnh đề but for KHÔNG thêm “not”.

If it weren’t for not exercising regularly, he would gain weight. -> NO

But for regular exercise, he would gain weight. -> YES

• Không sử dụng cấu trúc but for cho cầu điều kiện loại một mà chỉ dùng cho câu điều kiện loại 2 và loại 3.

Practice Application

Now that you've grasped the knowledge of the but for structure. Let's practice the exercises below to test what you've learned and reinforce your memory.

Using the but for/if structure, rewrite the following sentences while retaining their original meanings:

1. Were it not for the encouragement from my parents, I would have dropped out of university.

—> If my parents hadn’t encouraged me, I would have dropped out of university.

2. Without Linna, Mary would not have arrived punctually at the party yesterday.

—> If it hadn’t been for Linna, Mary couldn’t go to the party punctually yesterday.

3. If my teacher hadn’t supported me, I wouldn’t have achieved success.

—> However, if it weren't for _________________________________________________.

4. Had it not rained, the camping trip would have proceeded as planned.

—> Were it not for _____________________________________.

5. If he hadn't lacked money, he could have attended university.

—> If ___________________________________________________.

Đáp án:

1. But for my parents hadn’t encouraged me, I would have dropped out of university.
2. If it weren’t for Lina, Mary couldn’t go to the party punctually yesterday.
3. But for my teacher, I wouldn’t have been successful.
4. But for the rain, the camping would have been held.
5. If it weren’t for lack of money, he could have gone to university.

Tạm thời

Ở đây Mytour đã tổng hợp kiến thức về cấu trúc but for trong tiếng Anh. Cấu trúc này mặc dù phức tạp nhưng rất quan trọng để sử dụng và áp dụng vào giao tiếp.