" Use except for only.
"The field was as large as his, only the soil was less fertile." Use
but for only.
But, Except
"Being the eldest of the brothers but Philip, who was an invalid, he
assumed charge of his father's estate." Except is better than but.
But what, But that
"Think no man so perfect but what he may err." Say, "but that he may
err."
"I could not think but what he was insane." Use but that.
But, If
"I should not wonder but the assembly would adjourn to-day." Use if
instead of but.
But, That
"I have no doubt but he will serve you well." Say, "that he will serve
you well."
That, That
"I wished to show, by your own writings, that so far were you from
being competent to teach others English composition, that you had need
yourself to study its first principles."-- Moon, Dean's English.
The second that is superfluous. This fault is very
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common with writers who use long sentences. The intervention of
details between the first that and the clause which it is intended to
introduce causes the writer to forget that he has used the
introductory word, and prompts him to repeat it unconsciously.
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