but for
Were it not
But for introduces what would otherwise be the case if not for something: But for your help, I would have failed.
It means "if not for" or "except for," typically in counterfactual statements where one thing prevented another outcome.
In legal contexts, the "but for" test asks whether harm would have occurred but for the defendant's action.
- barringExcluding from consideration
- excludingLeaving something out
- apart fromExcluding from consideration
- aside fromExcluding from consideration
- with the exception ofLeaving out specified items
notwithstanding · if not · absent · minus · without · other than · provided that · unless · in case of · besides · bar · however · close call · almost · only · lacking · otherwise · fortunate
- compound prepositionsaccording to, because of, due to, instead of, out of
- conditionalsif, then, if clause, if clauses, else
- exclusionsexclude, exclusion, excluding, except, exception
but forbecause of
Indicates a cause
due to · owing to · on account of · thanks to · as a result of
but forincluding
Containing as part
along with · in addition to · together with · as well as · plus
but, for, before, butt, button, butter, foremost, buttons, fore