and/or/but

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

1 and/or
2 but
see also REASON, BEFORE/AFTER, CAUSE/EFFECT, SAY

1 and/or
- in addition: too, as well (as sb/sth), also, (in negative sentences) either
John would like to read it and I'd like to too. ◎ He teaches French as well as English. ◎ I want two pads of paper and I also need some pencils. ◎ I don't like meat and I'm not very keen on fish either.
- one person or thing and another: both ※€¦ and, not only ※€¦ but also
We were influenced by both political and economic considerations. ◎ She not only sings but also plays the piano.
- as two or more things that you can choose between: either ※€¦ or
They say we can either have a pay rise or a shorter working week. Not both.
※—† first, second, etc
- as the first thing to be done or said: first(ly), to begin/start with, in the first place, first of all
To begin with, I'll remind you of what I said last time. ◎ There are several reasons for our decision. In the first place ※€¦
- as the next thing to be said or done: second(ly), third(ly), etc, in the second, third, etc place, next
- as the last thing to be said or done: finally, last(ly), to conclude, in conclusion
And to conclude, I'd like to quote the words of Jonathan Swift ※€¦
- last, but still important: last but not least
Last but not least, I would like to thank my children.
- to say that there are other similar things or points, without saying what they are, you can say and so on, et cetera (written abbreviation etc)
The shop sells bread, cakes, sweets, fruit, vegetables etc, etc
※ more on being first, next, last FIRST/NEXT/LAST
※—† another thing
- as another thing to be said or done: also, besides, anyway
'Why did you leave early?' 'Well, it was beginning to rain and besides I was getting bored.' ◎ We don't need such a big car, and we can't afford it anyway.
- as another thing to be said or done: (more formal) furthermore, (more formal) moreover
The school is achieving better examination results and, moreover, is sending more of its pupils on to university.
- as a different thing that can be said or done: alternatively
You can catch the 8.30 direct to Oxford. Alternatively, you can take the 9.30 and change at Reading.
- as another thing (and the one which is most important): more than anything else, above all
I wanted a meal and a drink and above all a good night's sleep.
- as another thing (and one which is similar): equally, likewise
The government is anxious not to damage the beef industry. Equally, it is concerned about the threat to public health.
- as another point or topic: incidentally, by the way
By the way, did you remember to write to your brother?
- as a point that you have just remembered: come to think of it, that reminds me
I had a call from Alice - and that reminds me, have you got her camera?

2 but
※—† making a contrast within a sentence
- to show a contrast between two parts of a sentence, you can use but, yet, (informal) only
It's very fast but uses rather a lot of petrol. ◎ I know it's not really my fault, yet I still feel guilty. ◎ It's a lovely dress, only not quite my colour.
- to introduce a statement that makes the main statement in a sentence more surprising, you can use although, (more informal) though, even though
Although he has a lot of money, he always wears old clothes. ◎ Okay, I'll do what you want, though I don't really like the idea. ◎ Even though she has a car, she always comes to work on her bicycle.
※—† making a contrast between sentences
- words which we can use in a sentence which expresses a contrast with another sentence: however, even so, all the same, (formal) nevertheless, (informal) though
Sweden is a cold country; however, the houses are very warm. ◎ I wasn't hungry. Nevertheless, I ate the food she gave me. ◎ He didn't work very hard. Even so, he passed his exam. ◎ She told me not to do it. All the same, I tried. ◎ It was very sad saying goodbye. I didn't cry, though.
※—† expressing different points of view
- to show two contrasting points of view, you can say (on the one hand,) on the other hand
On the one hand, I want to help, but on the other hand I don't want her to think I'm interfering. ◎ James spends all his money straight away. Alex, on the other hand, saves his.
- when the opposite of sth is true, you can say on the contrary
I've never said I hate opera! On the contrary, I love it.