but he

USAGE SUMMARY

"but he" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts and is typically used to contrast a previous statement or idea. Example: "She was hesitant to take on the new project, but he convinced her with his persuasive argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he just couldn't".

The New Yorker

But he was enterprising.

The New York Times

But he was smitten.

The New York Times

"But he was special.

The New York Times - Sports

But he understood something.

The New Yorker

But he could skate.

The New Yorker

But he wasn't nervous.

The New York Times

"But he knew".

The New York Times - Arts

"But he didn't score".

The New York Times - Sports

But he got distracted.

The New Yorker

But he took it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but he" to smoothly transition between a preceding statement and a contrasting action or characteristic of the subject. For example: "She expected him to be late, but he arrived early."

Common error

Avoid starting consecutive sentences with "but he", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "however", "yet", or rephrasing the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but he" functions as a conjunctional phrase, linking two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast or exception to the first, with the subject being male. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but he" is a common and grammatically correct conjunctional phrase used to introduce a contrast related to a male subject. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, varying your sentence structure and using alternatives like "however he" or "yet he" can enhance writing quality. Ensure the contrast is clear and avoid overuse in close proximity. With a high expert rating of 4.5, the phrase is a reliable tool for expressing contrast effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet he

Emphasizes the contrast between two statements, similar to "but he".

however, he

A more formal way to introduce a contrasting statement.

still he

Indicates that despite a previous action, something else occurred.

nevertheless, he

A stronger emphasis on the contrast than "but he".

even so, he

Suggests that despite what was said, the subsequent action occurred.

nonetheless, he

Similar to "nevertheless, he" but slightly less formal.

in spite of that, he

More verbose alternative, clearly indicating the contrast.

despite that, he

Similar to "in spite of that, he" but slightly more concise.

on the other hand, he

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint or action.

conversely, he

A formal way to indicate a reverse situation or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "but he" in a sentence?

Use "but he" to introduce a contrast or unexpected outcome related to a male subject after a previous statement. Example: "He seemed nervous, "but he" delivered a flawless presentation".

What are some alternatives to "but he"?

You can use alternatives like "yet he", "however he", or "still he" to introduce a contrasting idea or action.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but he"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "but he" is grammatically correct. It serves as a conjunction to connect the current sentence with the previous one, indicating a contrast or exception.

What's the difference between "but he" and "but him"?

"But he" is used to introduce a contrasting statement about the subject (he), while "but him" is used when "him" is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "Everyone praised her work, "but him"". This usage is less common and often considered informal.