Cool MateBut vs However vs Yet
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But
However
Yet
| But | However | Yet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bət//bʌt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bət//bʌt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/haʊˈevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/haʊˈevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/jet/"]/🇺🇸 /["/jet/"]/ |
| Meaning | Used to show contrast or exception. | but; shows contrast between two ideas. | up to now; at this time |
| Example | I wanted to go, but it started to rain. | He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate. | I haven't finished my homework yet. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | conjunction | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | but I thought, but what about, but still, but then, but also | however, you should, however, it is important, however, I believe | not yet, yet to come, will you yet |
| Antonyms | and, or | therefore, consequently | already |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'but' with 'and' when showing contrast., Starting a sentence with 'but' in very formal writing., Using a comma before 'but' when the clauses are very short. | Confused with 'how ever' which means in what way., Omitting a comma before 'however' when it starts a sentence., Using 'however' inappropriately in very casual contexts. | Confused with 'but' in meaning., Omitting 'not' in negative sentences., Using 'yet' in statements instead of questions or negatives. |
| Usage notes | 'But' is used to connect two contrasting ideas. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written English but may sound abrupt in very formal writing. | Use 'however' to introduce a contrasting idea in a sentence. It's suitable in both spoken and written English but more common in formal writing. Avoid using it at the beginning of informal conversations. | Used to indicate that something has not happened up to the present moment. Common in negative sentences and questions. Avoid using in formal writing as it may sound too casual. |
Frequently asked questions: But vs However vs Yet
What's the difference between But, However, and Yet?
But: Used to show contrast or exception. However: but; shows contrast between two ideas. Yet: up to now; at this time
Which is more advanced: But, However, and Yet?
Yet is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are But, However, and Yet the same CEFR level?
But: A1, However: A1, Yet: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are But, However, and Yet?
But: conjunction, However: adverb, Yet: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
But: I wanted to go, but it started to rain. However: He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate. Yet: I haven't finished my homework yet.
Can I use But, However, and Yet interchangeably?
Not always. But, However, and Yet are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.