Another Word for But: 20 Ways to Change Direction Mid Sentence

The myth: you should never open a sentence with but. Plenty of teachers passed that rule along. It sticks because it sounds official.

The reality: the rule falls apart once you open a dictionary. Careful writers have opened sentences with but for centuries. The real reason to look for another word for but is repetition.

This guide sorts 20 contrast words by the turn they make, each with a sample sentence. You will also settle two traps: the comma splice that however causes and the but that quietly means except.

Which word should replace but?

Use yet or however for a plain contrast. Choose that said or even so to soften a point. In an essay, reach for nevertheless or by contrast. When but means “except,” as in nobody but you, switch to except or apart from.

Each row points to the synonyms for but that handle one job.

If you want to	Use	Why it works
Keep the same simple turn	yet, still	Both work like but.
Pause harder between sentences	however	It adds a firm break.
Admit a point before pushing back	that said, even so	They sound fair and friendly.
Sound formal in an essay	nevertheless, nonetheless	They signal a careful turn.
Compare two facts in one sentence	whereas, while	They hold both facts side by side.
Weigh two sides of a choice	on the other hand	It frames the turn as a balance.
Leave one thing out	except, apart from	They cover the except sense.

Why does the job of but decide your synonym?

But does two different jobs. As a conjunction it joins two contrasting ideas, as in “I called, but nobody answered.” As a preposition it means except, as in “everyone but Leo.” A contrast word only fits the first job. The second job needs an except word.

The words after your but reveal its job.

Job	What follows	Example
Contrast (conjunction)	A full clause	The car is old, but it runs well.
Except (preposition)	A noun or pronoun	Nobody but Mia knew the code.

A clause points to the first three groups below. A noun that except can replace points to the last group. Run this check before you choose any another word for but.

The 20 Alternatives, Sorted by the Turn They Make

Not every another word for but here is a perfect twin. The notes flag the ones that only fit a certain job.

Plain contrast (1 to 4)

1. Yet

The closest match, with the same comma pattern. Merriam-Webster’s entry for yet defines the conjunction as roughly “but nevertheless,” which adds a hint of surprise.

Example: The plan was simple, yet nobody followed it.

2. Still

The second fact holds in spite of the first. It usually opens a new sentence.

Example: The test was hard. Still, most of the class passed.

3. Though

A relaxed turn for the end of a sentence. At the start it acts like although instead.

Example: I liked the film. The ending was weak, though.

4. However

A firmer pause that starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon. For more options, see these other words for however.

Example: Prices rose in May. However, sales held steady.

Softer turns (5 to 9)

5. Even so

It accepts a fact and disagrees anyway. The calm tone suits reviews and feedback.

Example: The hotel was pricey. Even so, we would stay again.

6. That said

Praise first, then raise a concern. It is a good pick when you want another word for but that sounds kind.

Example: The draft is clear. That said, it runs long.

7. Having said that

A slower version of that said. It suits speech more than tight writing.

Example: I love the city. Having said that, I could never afford it.

8. All the same

The facts are clear but your feeling has not changed. It fits conversation.

Example: I know the door is locked. All the same, I will check it.

9. Then again

A second thought that pulls against your first one. Use it when you weigh an idea out loud.

Example: The red one looks great. Then again, the blue one costs less.

Formal contrast for essays (10 to 16)

10. Nevertheless

A firm turn and a strong pick in an essay. Merriam-Webster’s entry for nevertheless glosses it as “in spite of that.”

Example: The sample was small. Nevertheless, the results raised new questions.

11. Nonetheless

The same job as nevertheless with a lighter feel. It often sits right after the verb.

Example: The trip was short. It was nonetheless worth the cost.

12. Conversely

A related alternative, not a general swap. Use it only to reverse a relationship you just stated.

Example: Cold air sinks. Conversely, warm air rises.

13. Whereas

It compares two facts inside one sentence. It reads as formal and precise.

Example: The first draft ran long, whereas the second was tight.

14. While

A lighter whereas. It can also point to time, so check that only one reading fits.

Example: Sam likes mornings, while Ana works best at night.

15. On the other hand

It frames the turn as a balance. State the first side clearly before you use it.

Example: Renting is flexible. On the other hand, buying builds equity.

16. By contrast

It sets two figures side by side. You will see it often in reports.

Example: The north store grew fast. By contrast, the south store stayed flat.

When but means except (17 to 20)

17. Except

The plainest swap when but leaves something out. If it fits, you have the preposition.

Example: Everyone came to the party except Leo.

18. Apart from

A relaxed choice for the same job. It also works at the start of a sentence.

Example: Apart from the rain, the trip was perfect.

19. Other than

It fits best after a negative such as no or nothing. It sounds natural in questions too.

Example: There was nothing to eat other than crackers.

20. Save

A literary choice that can sound dated. Save it for fiction or speeches.

Example: The hall was silent save the ticking of a clock.

Is it wrong to start a sentence with but?

No. Merriam-Webster’s entry for but notes that it has opened English sentences since the earliest records. The school rule is a shortcut meant to stop fragments. A complete sentence after but is correct. Just check that a subject and a verb follow.

Teachers ban the opener to stop fragments like “But not this time.” The grammar itself was never the problem.

If every paragraph opens with but, though, swap a few. That is when you want another word for but to start a sentence.

Sentence	Old rule	Current view
But the bus never came.	Flagged	Correct
But not this time.	Flagged	A fragment in formal writing

That last row is where writers slip. A but sentence still needs its own subject and verb.

Can you use but and however together?

Not for the same turn. “But however, it rained” says the contrast twice. Pick one word and delete the other. The pair is fine only when however means “in whatever way,” as in “but however you slice it.”

The double sneaks in during editing, when you add however and forget the old but. Reading aloud catches it.

What about but yet and but still?

Both pairs are common in speech. In formal writing, keep one word, not both.

How do you punctuate but, yet and however?

Put a comma before but or yet when either one joins two full clauses. However cannot join clauses with a comma. Put a semicolon or a full stop before it. Then add a comma after it.

This swap trips up most writers. Compare these two lines:

• I called, however nobody answered.
• I called; however, nobody answered.

The first is a comma splice. Without but, a comma cannot hold two full sentences together.

Yet keeps the comma, so it is the easiest swap. Any another word for but that works like however follows the semicolon rule.

But or although: contrast or concession?

But joins two ideas of equal weight. Although admits one point and puts the weight on the main clause. “It rained, but we played” and “Although it rained, we played” are both correct. The second pushes the rain into the background.

Swapping can flip your point. “The car is cheap, but it is slow” ends on the drawback. “Although the car is slow, it is cheap” ends on the selling point. For more concession words, browse our although alternatives.

A Hypothetical Rewrite: Four Turns, Four Fixes

We wrote this sample paragraph for practice. It uses but four times in a row.

Before: The app is fast, but it drains the battery. The design is clean, but the menus are hard to find. Most users like it, but some want a dark mode. Every feature works but one.

After: The app is fast, yet it drains the battery. The design is clean; however, the menus are hard to find. Most users like it; even so, some want a dark mode. Every feature works except one.

Yet keeps the comma that but used. However and even so take a semicolon because they cannot join clauses alone. Except replaces the but that left one feature out.

You do not have to replace every but, though. The right another word for but fixes repetition without making the paragraph stiff. When you explain why instead of turning, try these words for because.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for but?

The closest another word for but is yet. However and still also work. When but means except, use except.

What’s another word for but to start a sentence?

However, still and even so all open a sentence well. You can also start a sentence with but itself.

What is another word for but in an essay?

Nevertheless and by contrast are strong picks in an essay. Use on the other hand when you weigh two sides of an argument.

What is another word for but in a positive way?

The friendliest another word for but is that said or even so. Both show you heard the first point.

What can I use instead of “but also”?

Try as well as or a plain and. For more ways to add a point, see our also alternatives.

Is but a conjunction or a preposition?

It can be both. As a conjunction it joins contrasting ideas. As a preposition it means except, as in “all but one.”

Conclusion: Pick Your Turn

This guide gave you 20 contrast words in four groups. It also showed that opening a sentence with but is fine. You saw how to punctuate but, yet and however too.

The easiest another word for but is usually yet or however. That said softens a point. Nevertheless suits formal work.

Key takeaways:

• But and yet take a comma before them.
• However needs a semicolon or a period before it.
• Never stack but and however in the same turn.
• When but means except, use except or apart from.
• Choose although when you want to admit a point first.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries entry for however shows how that formal partner sits between commas. For more swaps like these, browse Tellyffy’s word guides.