“not…but”意思是“不是……而是……”。
not后接被否定的内容,but后接被认可的事实。
谓语的单复数形式取决于but后面的名词。
当主语一样时,省略后一句的主语和谓语,改为but连接,有两者对比转折的意思。
1. "Will it happen again?"— 'I hope not. but you never know.'
“这事还会再发生吗?”——“但愿不会,但谁知道呢。”
2. She could not but congratulate him.
她只能祝贺他。
3. He is extremely strong — not but that he will catch cold at times.
虽然他特别健壮,可是有时也会感冒.
4. A poet could not but be gay in such a jocund company.
一个诗人在这种兴高采烈的同伴中自然而然地会快乐.
5. After the fire swallowed his cottage , the old man could not but feel utterly bereft.
在一场大火吞噬了他的草屋之后, 老人唯一的感觉就是他已经一无所有了.
6. I cannot do it; not but what a younger man might be able to do it.
我不能做, 但也许年轻一点的人能做.
7. Overcome with admiration, he could not but imitate them.
他企羡之余, 不免模仿.