anything but、nothing but、all but与none but这些短语均由代词加前置词but(除开)构成,但含义各不相同。
anything but :(=not at all, by no means, never) 表示“决不,根本不”。
- You don't care about anything but yourself and your precious face.
你什么都不关心,除了你自己和你那张娇贵的脸。
nothing but :(=only) 表示“只不过,除了……以外什么也没有”。
- I have nothing but praise for the police.
我对警方唯有称赞。
all but :(=almost, nearly) 表示“几乎,差一点”。
- Herbalism had become an all but extinct skill in the Western world.
草药医术在西方已经成了一门几乎绝迹的技艺。
none but :(=no one except) 表示“只有;除……外谁也不”。
- He whispered so softly that none but Julie heard him.
他这般低声耳语,只有朱莉听得见。