Grammar Notes Tradtional vs. Current

TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR	LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION
In traditional grammar, than is a conjunction used in comparatives with adjectives and adverbs.  Than introduces the comparative clause. HIstorically, "rath" meant "soon" (adv.)   – I'd sooner / rather have this than that.  The expresson rather than coordinates two syntactically alike items in a statement of comparison.	In linugistic description, rather than (X to avoid Y) is a preposition with a clause as its complement.  The clause usually has a base verb form (bare infinitive), but may also have a gerund verb form.
(X not Y) We walked home rather than drove home.  (adverb + conjunction pair that forms a comparative expression)	(X not Y) We walked home rather than drove home.  (a coordinator in a comparative expression with a parallel complement type)
X to avoid Y We walked home rather than sit in traffic.  (same as above)	X to avoid Y We walked home rather than sit / sitting in traffic.   (a preposition with a gerund complement) Rather than sitting in traffic, we walked home.

Than is a preposition (not an adverb) that accepts a wide range of complements. (A number of words that were previously analyzed as adverbs are now analyzed as prepositions.) (CaGEL 612) ; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Comp – complement; Coord – coordinator; Det – determainer; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; Sub – Subordinator

Complement Types of  Prepositions: "instead of" and "rather than:

INSTEAD OF	COMPLEMENT TYPE	RATHER THAN
He took the laptop instead of the iPad.	NP  (noun phrase)	He took the laptop rather than the iPad.
I'll go instead of you.	noun	I'll go rather than you.
We'll go now instead of in the morning.	PP	We'll go nowrather than in the morning.
I felt humiliated instead of proud of my self.	AdjP	I felt humiliated rather than proud of my self.
He spoke timidly instead of competently.	AdvjP	He spoke timidly rather than competently.
We want them to be bold instead of be cautious.	bare infinitival	*We want them to be bold rather than be cautious.
*It's better to continue instead of  (to) wait.	infinitival	It's better to continue rather than (to) wait.
We prefer moving on instead of waiting.	gerund-participle	We prefer moving on rather than waiting.
He said that "it" was regretful instead of that he was sorry.	declarative clause	He said that "it" was regretful rather than that he was sorry.
They told me I had tried hard instead of whether I had succeeded.	closed interrogative	They told me I had tried hard rather than whether I had succeeded.
They told me where I had to go instead of when I had to go.	open interrogative	They told me where I had to go rather thanwhen I had to go.
He asked that they be heard instead of that they be sent away.	subjunctive clause	He asked that they be heard rather than that they be sent away.

"The prototypical PP has the form of a preposition as head and a NP as complement… Prepositions allow a wide range of complement type." (CaGEL 642) 

Notable Comments

Rather "contains the comparative suffix -er but the original base rather (meaning "soon") has been lost, so that rather  is no longer analysable as an inflectional comparative.  It nevertheless retains clear semantic and syntactic affinities with ordinary comparative constructions." (CaGEL 1128) 
Rather than – I'd rather resign than accept such humiliation.  "Here it is an adverb with a comparative meaning: approximately "more readily, in preference to".  There are also uses where this meaning is largely or wholly lost — a change facilitated by the fact that the morphological base rath- no longer occurs without the -er suffix." (CaGEL 1317)
Than —  " The most usual position for the comparative is at the end of the clause containing the comparative phrase…" (1106);     "Bob is more generous than Liz" — Liz can be regarded as a "reduced clause" or as an "immediate complement NP" (CaGEL 113)

Conjunction or Preposition   "The question that puzzled Fowler was whether rather than always operated as a conjunction and thus had the same construction before as it had after, or whether it could also operate as a preposition and so connect dissimilar constructions…. We will simply point that rather than does function like a preposition. 
'Rather than argue for the overthrow of the entire system, the Colonists realized...that the basic values of British law were still valid. —  Daniel Sisson.
But when parallel constructions appear on each side of rather than, it is functioning like a conjunction:
" ...implicating them, this time subtly rather than powerfully — J. I. M.Stewart"
(MWDEU 797)
"Than is both a conjunction and a preposition…. In current usage than is more often a conjunction than a preposition... me after the preposition is more common in speech than in edited prose." (MWDEU 892)

Rather than Using bare infinitive vs. gerund

Adjunct Clause —bare infinitive vs. gerund

ADJUNCT CLAUSE  WITH BARE INFINITIVE	ADJUNCT CLAUSE  WITH GERUND
When a rather than clause begins a sentence, the verb form can be the base verb form (bare infinitival) or the gerund verb form.  The choice depends on 1) whether the sentence is worded in a parallel manner, and 2) whether parallel wording of the verb phrase in the sentence will allow it.	When rather than coordinates elements that are not syntactically alike (unparallel), or the verb of the main clause is a past or progressive form, we tend to switch to the gerund form after rather than.
PARALLEL WORDING – syntactically alike Rather than take the bus, we drive our car to work.  (parallel →  bare infinitive is preferred)	UNPARALLEL WORDING  – not syntactically alike Rather than *take/ taking the bus to work, we much prefer to drive when we can.   (unparallel → gerund)
Rather than take stock, they went on without a plan.	Rather than taking stock, they continued to spend and spend until there was nothing left.
MODALS, PRESENT TENSE  Rather than take the bus, Ed will/ could/ should/ walk to work.  (modal)	PROGRESSIVE VERB FORMS Rather than taking the bus, Ed will be walking to work.
Rather than take the bus, Ed walks to work.  (present habit) Rather than take the bus, Ed prefers to walk to work.  (present + infinitive) Rather than %take/ taking the bus, Ed enjoys walking to work.  (present + gerund)	Rather than taking the bus, Ed is walking to work.
Rather than %take/ taking the bus, Ed walked.  (% past tense) % some people use the bare infinitive and others use a gerund	Rather than taking the bus, Ed was walking to work.

*bare infinitive – the infinitive verb form without to

take stock – to take inventory (evaluate supplies); make sure of the facts in regard to something

Implied Meaning — bare infinitive vs. gerund

#2 RATHER THAN ( X to avoid Y) —  SUBJECTIVE	#2 RATHER THAN (X to avoid Y) —  OBJECTIVE
When using the bare infinitive after rather than, one interprets the meaning as "the speaker includes his/her evaluation of truth, what is right, what is logical",  The person is "taking the contrary choice as the preferred one" — a judgment of what is right or logical. In this sense, the use of the bare infinitive after rather than occurs when the main verb is a modal (will, would), present or past tense.	When using a gerund after rather than, the effect is more descriptive. Speakers are more likely to use a gerund after rather than when the main verb is progressive or present perfect tense. Perhaps, the focus on the aspect of the verb takes focus away from the modality of the verb.
BARE INFINITIVE — TAKES A STAND IN THE JUDGMENT OF TRUTH, RIGHT OR WHAT IS LOGICAL They will go on strike rather than accept what management offers them. (Implied: accepting the management's offer would be humiliating.)	GERUND  —  DESCRIPTIVE OF ACTIVITY WITH MORE FOCUS ON ASPECT RATHER THAN MODALITY They are going on strike rather than *accept / accepting what management offered them.
He went to jail rather than pay his parking tickets. (Implied: paying his parking tickets would be an admission of guilt.)	He was going to jail rather than *pay / paying his parking fines.  (description of a habitual action)
He made excuses rather than do his homework. (Implied: doing his homework would require more effort)	He has been making excuses rather than *do / doing his homework. (description of a habitual action)
We reason with him rather than get angry with him. (Implied: getting angry would be less effective.)	We reason with him rather than get/ getting angry with him.

modality – the speaker's attitude, opinion or evaluation of the activity;  also see atletick madality aspect – indicates information, such as duration, completion, or frequency, as it relates to the time of action

Common Mistakes — arguments (issues) to consider

PROBLEM	FIX
FORMALITY We took a taxi rather than getting lost.  (informal - but not incorrect)	We took a taxi rather than get lost on foot. The bare infinitive is considered more formal use by some.  This is a "prescriptivist" argument. It could be a preference for "active" or "dynamic" verb forms (bare inf.) rather than "descriptive verb forms (gerund).  See ''bare infinitive vs gerund". "rather than"
BARE INFINITIVE We decided to take a map with us rather than to get lost.	We decided to take a map with us rather than [to] get lost. (The bare infinitive does not include to.)
AWKWARD TENSE USE Rather than get lost, we are taking a map with us.  (awkward wording – tense use)	Rather than get lost, we'll take a map with us.  (Use a modal or present tense.)
Rather than get lost, we have taken a map with us. (awkward wording – tense use)	Rather than get lost, we take a map with us. (Use present – habitual.) Rather than getting lost, we took a map with us. (Use past – habitual.)
PLACEMENT OF "RATHER THAN" *He rather went to jail than pay his fines.   (awkward wording – placement) *He went rather to jail than to pay his fines.	He went to jail rather than pay his fines.  (Place rather than after the first verb phrase if coordinating two verb phrases.) He would rather go to jail than pay his fines. (Place rather before the verb if using would rather.)
"RATHER THAN" WITH 3RD PERSON-PRESENT TENSE He asks for what he wants rather than get / getting upset.   3rd person – rather than ( X to avoid Y) COMPARE TO:  He asks for what he wants rather than whines.  rather than (X not Y)	He asks for what he wants rather than getting upset. (While the bare infinitive may be considered more formal by some, other speakers use the -ing form here.   Note that the bare infinitives seems to sound better in coordination with modal, present and sometimes past tense verbs.)
"RATHER THAN" IN A COMPARATIVE SENTENCE The group is more active in pursuing their own interests rather than the interests of the country.	The group is more active in pursuing their own interests than the interests of the country.  (In a comparative sentence of this type, use more…than or -er…than.)
PARALLEL WORDING The security of the company and its assets rather than individual security has priority.  (parallel / unparallel wording)	The company security rather than individual security has priority.  or The company rather than individual security has priority. Rather than individual security, it is the security of the company that has priority. (Sometimes a sentence can be reworded to have parallel phrasing or "equal weight".   Typically, we tend to put "wordier" information at the end of the sentence.  If rewording is not possible, use rather than in an adjunct clause, so that the wordier clause can be placed after it.)

Rather than Expressing preference or avoidance

Rather than — preference vs. avoidance

#1 RATHER THAN — X NOT Y  "In preference to"			#2 RATHER THAN —  choosing X to avoid Y
We use rather than to show comparative preference for the first of two paired elements: adjectives, adverbs, infinitives & gerunds clauses, prepositional phrases and verbs. Rather than coordinates syntactically alike items. The meaning is X (and) not Y (conjunction)  "in stead of". . The passive voice can be formed in these sentences.(CaGEL not in coordination 811, rather, 1128)			Rather than also functions as an adverb with a comparative meaning "taking the contrary choice as the preferred one", perhaps,  as a judgment of what is right or logical.  This particular use of rather than is commonly followed by a bare infinitive (base verb form) .   The verb of the main clause is in present, past , or a modal verb from.  The passive voice cannot be formed in these sentences.
CLAUSE Ed wanted less	COORDINATOR rather than in stead of (and) not	COORDINATED CLAUSE more homework.  (parallel adjectives)	CLAUSE – OPTION 1 Ed went to jail	ADVERB + PREP rather than sooner than	CLAUSE pay his parking fines.
Ed worked carelessly	rather than	carefully on his projects.  (parallel adverbs)	Ed will go to court	rather than	pay his parking fines.
Ed wanted success	rather than	failure. (parallel nouns)	Ed would eat nails	rather than	pay his parking tickets.
Ed kept	rather than	told his secrets. (verbs)	Ed preferred to go to jail	rather than	pay an unfair parking fine.
Ed walked	rather than	ran. (verbs)	Ed contests a ticket in court	rather than	just *pay / paying it. (ex. 3rd per.)
Ed enjoys walking for relaxation	rather than	running. (gerund – nonfinite clause)	Ed has been making excuses	rather than	*do / doing his homework (ex. progressive)
Ed prefers to walk	rather than	run. (infinitive – nonfinite clause)	Ed is making excuses	rather than	*do / doing his homework (ex. progressive)
Less	rather than	more homework was wanted by Ed. (passive is possible)	Excuses were made up	rather than	*home work done  (no passive possible)

*Note that 3rd-person, present tense sounds awkward with the bare infinitive verb form, so speakers often switch to a gerund.
contest (v.) – oppose something (an action, decision, or theory) as mistaken or wrong
(2) Merriam Webster Dictionary expresses the meaning as " indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish".  
(2) Huddleston expresses the meaning as "taking the contrary choice as the preferred one" (GGEL rather, 1128; expressions based on comparison, 1317)

Rather than Verb Complements

#1 RATHER THAN — X NOT Y				#2 RATHER THAN — CHOOSING  X TO AVOID Y
Rather than (X not Y) occurs in a clause after various tenses. The verb after rather than has a parallel verb form				Rather than (X to avoid Y) than is a preposition with a clause as its complement.  The clause usually has a base verb form (bare infinitive), but may also have a gerund as will be discussed in the next section.
SUBJECT Ed	VERB walks (present)	COORDINATOR rather than (and) not (conj) instead of (prep)	PARALLEL VERB FORM drives to work. (present)	SUBJECT Ed	VERB prefers to bike	ADVERB + PREP rather than sooner than	CLAUSE: BARE-FORM VERB waste time waiting for buses. (driving is a faster way to get there)
Ed	walked (past)	rather than	drove to work.  (past)	Ed	bikes to work	rather than	%waste / wasting time waiting for buses. (driving is a faster way to get there)
Ed	will walk prefers to walk	rather than	drive to work. (bare form)	Ed	will take a pay cut	rather than	lay off any coworkers. (saving money allows keeping employees)
Ed	is walking has been walking enjoys walking	rather than	driving to work. (gerund)	He	will ride his bike	rather than	get caught in traffic. (driving involves traffic, the train does not)
Eddie Jr. Ed	was walked has walked	rather than	driven to school. (passive + participle)  driven to work. (passive + participle)	Ed	went to jail	rather than	pay his parking fines. (jail time takes the place of paying fines)
				Ed	sped down the freeway	rather than	miss his meeting (drove fast to be on time)

Rather Comparative preference

Prefer X to Y

WOULD PREFER TO			WOULD PREFER…RATHER THAN
We express preference with would prefer X to Y. Parallel (syntactically alike) wording is used.			Speakers tend to switch from prefer X to Y to prefer X rather than Y when the options consist of infinitives or that-clauses. (MWDEU 760)
SUBJ + VERB I would prefer	OPTION 1 walking	OPTION 2 to  driving  (gerunds)	SUBJ + VERB I would prefer	OPTION 1 to walk	OPTION 2 to  to drive    (Reword it with rather than.)
I would prefer	tea	to coffee  (nouns)	I would prefer	to walk	rather than  to drive.
I would prefer	red	to blue. (nouns)	I would prefer	that we walk	to  that we drive.
I would prefer	going in the morning	to (going) in the evening (gerund clause)	I would prefer	that we walk	rather than  (that we) drive.
I would prefer	outside the restaurant	to inside the restaurant (prep. phrase)	I would prefer	to be done	rather than to be working.

Would rather X than Y

WOULD you RATHER X OR Y			WOULD RATHER X THAN Y
We use would you rather X or Y? to ask preference between two items.  Parallel (syntactically alike) wording is used before and after to.  (Or functions as a conjunction.)			Would rather than also coordinates two options phrased with parallel wording.  (When parallel phrasing is used than is more conjunction. When non parallel phrasing is used than is more preposition.)
AUX + SUBJ Would you	OPTION 1 rather drive	OPTION 2 or walk?  (parallel adjectives)	SUBJ + AUX I would	OPTION 1 rather drive	OPTION 2 than walk.
Would you	rather leave at 8:00	or wait until 9:00?	I would	rather leave at 9:00	than 8:00.
Would you	rather that I call you	or that you call me?	I would	rather (that) I call you	than (that) you call me..

Also see would

Comparatives Than vs. Rather than

THAN — AUXILIARY COMPLEMENT	RATHER THAN — NONFINITE COMPLEMENT
After the comparative use of than we use the auxiliary verb.	After the comparative use of rather than we use a nonfinite verb form (a "secondary" verb form that is not marked with tense.)
SIMPLE COMPARATIVE  – keeps auxiliary after than (parr all el reduced clause) He dislikes traffic more than you do.	MODAL TENSE – keeps nonfinite verb after than He will "thumb" a ride rather than [he will] pay the bus fare.  (thumb – hitchhike) [X and not Y]
He feels pain more intensely than everyone else does.   (verb remains from a reduced clause)	He'd rather leave at 4 a.m. than  [he would ] get stuck in traffic. (stuck – not moving) [X to avoid Y] (Getting stuck in traffic is something that drives him crazy.)

But / Though Expressing defeat or challenge

Brian worked in marketing for two years, but lost his job when his company down-sized its number of employees during the bad economic recession.  Brian wants to continue pursuing his career, yet he has several difficulties to face.

Implied Meanings

BUT – AN OBSTACLE	THOUGH – A CHALLENGE
After a statement of intent, but introduces a clause with a contrasting thought – often an obstacle or reason for setback or defeat. (But is a conjunction.)	After a statement of intent, though introduces a clause with an obstacle or difficulty in the way of success – something that often can be overcome. (Though is a conjunction.)
Brian is focused on the obstacles! Brian hopes to find a new job, but few employers are hiring. He stood in line to get into a job fair, but he found nothing in marketing. He also, wants to go to business school, but he has no savings to pay tuition or to support himself while studying.  He'd like to get some additional training; however, he's unsure where to get it.  Brian doesn't know where to get started. He's letting the obstacles overcome him and keep him from his goals. obstacle (n.) -- something that makes it difficult to achieve something	Brian is focused on his goals! Brian hopes to find a new job though few employers are hiring. He stood in line to get into a job fair though he found nothing in marketing. He also, wants to go to business school although he has no savings to pay tuition or to support himself while studying.  He'd like to get some additional training even though he's unsure where to get it.  Brian is prepared for the challenge. He is overcoming challenges in order to meet his goals.  challenge (n.) -- something that tests strength, skill, or ability, especially in a way that is interesting

But vs. Though

INTENT	CONJUNCTION	OBSTACLE	INTENT	CONJUNCTION	CHALLENGE
Brian planned on attending a job fair	, but	the line to get in wrapped around the block.   (It discouraged him. it.)	Brian planned on attending a job fair	though	the line to get in wrapped around the block.   (He stood in it anyway.)
Brian hopes to find another job	, but	few employers are hiring.   (It's unlikely.)	Brian hopes to find another job	though	few employers are hiring.  (He will find someone that is.)
Brian expected to get a lead at the Job Fair	, but	he found nothing in marketing. (He left disappointed.)	Brian expected to get a lead at the Job Fair	though	he found nothing in marketing. (He found options in related fields.)
Brian would like to go back to school	, but	he has no savings.  (He can't pay.)	Brian would like to go back to school	though	he has no savings. (He will try to find other funding or a scholarship.)
Brian wants to get some additional training	, but	he's unsure where to get it. (He's stuck.)	Brian wants to get some additional training	though	he's unsure where to get it. (He will check with counselors at the local community college.)

to face (v.) – to deal with or manage a difficult situation
stuck (adj) – unable to move from a bad situation
setback (n) – a problem that delays or prevents progress
obstacle (n) – a block; something that you must go around to achieve success   

optimistic (adj) – expects a good outcome
pessimistic (adj) – expects a bad outcome
no ifs, ands, or buts (expression) – "If you fail to turn in your application on time, you will be rejected – no ifs, ands, or buts."  (no excuses)

But Expressions

Nothing but / All but

NOTHING BUT	ALL BUT
Nothing but is an expression meaning "only".  It emphasizes the noun after it.	All but expresses an exception or only this is left. (one, two or little)
Jack eats nothing but hamburgers. only hamburgers, lots of them	He ate all but one hamburger.  except
There was nothing but sugar in the "energy bar".  only sugar, lots of it	They sold all but two energy bars.  except
He was nothing but trouble.  only trouble, lots of it

If not for / But for

IF NOT FOR	BUT FOR
If not for expresses the idea of "if something had not existed/happened"	But for expresses the idea of "if something had not existed/happened".
If not for traffic, I would have been home an hour ago.	But for traffic, I would have been home an hour ago.
If not for your help, I would never have finished on time.	But for your help, I would never have finished on time.

Who… but

BUT FOR	WHO…BUT
But for expresses the idea of "if something had not existed/happened".	Who / What should...but  is used to express surprise at a chance meeting or finding.
I was walking down the street, and unexpectedly I saw Jack.	I was walking down the street, and who should I see but Jack.  a chance meeting
I looked down the street, and luckily I found a parking space!	I looked down the street, and what should I find but a parking space!   a lucky find

Cannot… but

CANNOT HELP + VERB-ING	CANNOT BUT + VERB
A gerund is used after can't help.   Can't help means cannot avoid or cannot stop from doing.	Cannot but expresses the idea of "we can do nothing except ..." (formal).  The expression cannot help but is a combination of can't help and cannot but. It is informal.
We can't help admiring his courage.	We cannot but admire his courage.  very formal We cannot help but admire his courage.  very informal (not for academic or business use) We admire his courage very much.
Jack can't help drinking.	We could not but see that he was drunk. We couldn't help but see he was drunk. We saw clearly that he was drunk.

But not / Except

But not vs. Except

BUT	EXCEPT
But not is used to to exclude something after stating a generalization using words such as: all, every, everything, everybody, etc. (Negative words such as: no, any, nothing, nobody are used with except.)	Except is used to exclude something after stating a generalization.  Generalizing words are: all, any, every, no, everything, anybody, nowhere, nobody, nothing, etc.   Before a noun or a noun phrase for may be omitted. When using a pronoun after except for, use an object pronoun (him, her, them, us,me).
BEFORE A NOUN He likes vegetables but not carrots.	BEFORE A NOUN He likes vegetables except (for) carrots.
Everyone in our family likes vegetables but not him.  object pronoun	Everyone in our family likes vegetables except (for) him.  object pronoun
*Nobody eats liver but not Teresa.  Avoid a double negative.	Nobody eats liver except (for) Teresa.    liver (n.) – an organ in an animal that cleans blood
Everyone avoids liver but not Teresa.  Rephrase the verb.	Everyone avoids liver except (for) Teresa.
BEFORE A PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION OR CLAUSE He usually eats sweets but not when someone is looking.	BEFORE A PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION OR CLAUSE He usually eats sweets except when someone is looking.  He often eats sweets.
Everyone in our family likes coffee but not at night.	Everyone in our family likes coffee except at night.  They drink it day time.
We have a sugary treat everyday but not during Lent.	We have a sugary treat everyday except during Lent.
He eats honey but not as a sweetener (in something else).	He eats honey except as a sweetener (in something else).
*Teresa likes candy but not that she can't eat it because of her diabetes. Teresa likes candy, but she can't eat it because of her diabetes.	Teresa likes candy except that she can't eat it because of her diabetes.

Lent (n.) – a period before Easter when Western Christians give up eating a favorite food
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

 

But/Except before verbs

BEFORE AN INFINITIVE	BEFORE A GERUND
After do + everything / nothing / anything, use an infinitive, and omit 'to'.	After a verb+ prep phrase (participial adjective), use a gerund.
Jack does nothing all day except [to] eat and sleep.  Delete to. Jack does nothing all day but [to] eat and sleep.	He isn't interested in anything except eating and sleeping.  interested in... eating He isn't interested in anything but eating and sleeping.
Teresa can do everything except [to] cook. Teresa can do everything but [to] cook.	You don't need to worry about anything except having a wonderful time! worry about... having You don't need to worry about anything but having a wonderful time!
She can't do anything except [to] cry. She can't do anything but [to] cry.	I was looking forward to everything except doing a lot of homework. look forward to... doing I was looking forward to everything but doing a lot of homework. I was looking forward to doing everything but a lot of homework.

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
*Bill Clinton is committed to a plant-based diet except for eats an occasional fish.	Bill Clinton is committed to a plant-based diet except for eating an occasional fish dish.  (some fish occasionally.) Bill Clinton is committed to a plant-based diet except for an occasional fish dish. Bill Clinton is committed to a plant-based diet except that he eats an occasional fish dish. (he occasionally eats some fish.)
*I would have failed except for your help.	Nobody helped me except (for) you. I would have failed without your help.   (Use without. Except is for excluding one thing from a generalization.)

See Pop-Q "exact for"

But / But still coffee with sugarStating contrast or contrary outcome

Contrast vs. Contrary Outcome

CONTRAST	CONTRARY OUTCOME
But is a connector that introduces a clause with an idea, opinion or action that is different from the other clause.  It indicates a contrast.	But still is a connector that introduces a clause with an idea, opinion or action that is contrary to the idea, opinion or action in the other clause.  The outcome is contrary (i.e., illogical, irrational) to expectation.
BUT / HOWEVER He asked for another cup of coffee, but there was no more. He asked for yet another cup of coffee. But there was no more!  †(stronger contrast) He asks for some and finds out there is no more.	BUT STILL / THOUGH There was no more coffee, but still he asked for another cup. He knows there is no more coffee and asks for more, (Perhaps, he hopes someone will  buy or make some more.)
He asked for another cup of coffee. However, there was no more. He asked for another cup of coffee; however, there was no more.	Though there was no more coffee, he asked for another cup.. He asked for another cup of coffee though there was no more.

Also see but / toguht for implied meanings
† but beginning a sentence  

Connectors for Contrast

INITIAL			MEDIAL
Each of these connectors states a direct contrast and can be placed before either clause without a change in meaning.   A comma is used to separate the two clauses.			Each of these connectors states a direct contrast and can be placed between the two clauses.  A comma separates the two clauses (except for however, a transition word, and in contrast to, a preposition.)
CONNECTOR	CONTRAST	STATEMENT	STATEMENT	CONNECTOR	CONTRAST
While (conj)	I like sugar in my coffee,	Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee,	while(conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
Whereas(conj)	I like sugar in my coffee,	Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee,	whereas(conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
On the one hand, (trans)	I like sugar in my coffee.		I like sugar in my coffee,	but (conj)	Edward likes black coffee.
On the other hand, (trans)		Edward likes black coffee.	I like sugar in my coffee	in contrast to (prep)	Edward who likes black coffee.
			I like sugar in my coffee.	TRANSITION WORD comma However, (trans)	Edward likes black coffee.
			I like sugar in my coffee.	In contrast, (trans)	Edward likes black coffee.

black coffee – has no sugar
On the one hand,  and On the other hand, is a paired expression.
 Also see comparisen

Connectors for Contrary Outcome

CONNECTORS BEFORE SITUATION CLAUSE			CONNECTORS BEFORE CONTRARY CLAUSE
Each of these connectors occurs with a pair of independent clauses.  It introduces the situation-clause.			Each of these connectors occurs between a pair of independent clauses and introduces the clause with contrary outcome (idea, opinion or action).
CONNNECTOR	SITUATION	CONTRARY OUTCOME	SITUATION	CONNNECTOR	CONTRARY OUTCOME
Even though (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do (eat sugar).	I shouldn't eat sugar,	but still	I do.
Though (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar,	yet (conj)	I do.
Although (conj)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar,	but (conj)	I do anyway.
ADVERBIAL PREP + CLAUSE Despite the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	ADVERBIAL PHRASE comma Even so, (adv)	I do.
In spite of the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	In spite of that,	I do.
Regardless of the fact (that)	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I shouldn't eat sugar.	Nevertheless, (adv)	I do.

contrary (adj) – ideas, opinions, or actions that are completely different and opposed to each other; one is illogical, unexpected or unlikely with the other
Also see:   because thoguht | adverbial preposition

Punctuation

INITIAL-SENTENCE POSITION			MID-SENTENCE POSITION
Each of these connectors introduces a situation clause that is followed by a comma and clause stating an unexpected, surprising or illogical outcome.			Each of these connectors can be placed mid-sentence before the situation clause. No comma is used.
CONNECTOR	SITUATION	CONTRARY OUTCOME	CONTRARY OUTCOME	CONNECTOR	SITUATION
Even though	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do (eat sugar).	I eat sugar	even though	I shouldn't.
Though	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I eat sugar	though	I shouldn't.
Although	I shouldn't eat sugar,	I do.	I eat sugar	although	I shouldn't.

Negative Addition Neither…nor

Neither…nor  (but not either…or)

NEITHER…NOR	EITHER …OR  (PREFERENCE!)
Use neither…nor for negative addition: Not X  AND not Y. When neither… nor begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject.	The expression either…or is not related to neither nor.  In contrast, it indicates "no preference", one or the other, or a condition
NOUNS Neither the movie nor the play was good.   (singlar verb form)	NOUNS Either the movie or the play was good. I can't remember.
I liked neither the movie nor the play.	I didn't like either the movie or the play. They were both bad.
MODIFIERS The plot was neither believable nor engaging.	MODIFIERS The plot was either believable or unbelievable depending on the viewer's perspective.
The director spoke neither specifically nor excessively about the project.	The director spoke either briefly or excessively about his project  depending on how much free time he had. (one or the other)
INFINITIVES & GERUNDS The actors tried neither to overplay nor to underplay their roles.	INFINITIVES & GERUNDS The actors tried either to overplay or to underplay their roles.  (I don't know what they did, but it wasn't effective in the movie.) (one or the other)
They objected to the movie neither following the book nor keeping the central theme.	They objected to either following the book or keeping the central theme. (one or the other)
VERBS I neither liked nor would recommend the movie.	VERBS Either I like a movie or I hate it. There is nothing in-between. (one or the other)
Neither did I like nor would recommend the movie. Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject.

Neither…nor Verb Agreement

FORMAL	INFORMAL
Neither..nor is used to indicate  "not one or the other.  The verb agreement is singular. The same word form is used for each item being compared (noun, gerund, infinitive, or phrase.)	Informal use of neither..nor is becoming more common and includes using plural nouns  "not one or others" or "not some or others".  A plural verb is used. In a way, it is like the comparison of "apples and an orange" or visa versa.
Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone.   (a singluar noun.)	Neither I nor my sons carry mobile phones. (singular + plural noun)
Neither baggage nor equipment was removed from the building.   (a mass noun + a mass noun)	Neither my sons nor I carry mobile phones.  (plural + singular noun)
Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone.  (singular subject – singular object)	Neither the girls nor the boys carry mobile phones.  (plural + plural noun)
Neither smoking nor drinking is permitted in his house.   (a gerund)	Neither smokers nor drinkers are permitted in his house.
Neither before work nor after work is a good time to meet.  (an adverb phrase)	Neither before work nor after work are good times to meet.

No Preference / Condition

EITHER . . . OR   (paired-conjunction)	EITHER . . . OR ELSE   (conditional clause)
Either you ate the pie or I ate it. I can't remember who did.   (one or the other)	Either you eat the pie, or (else) I will.  (informal Eng. with "either") You eat the pie, or else I will.   (condition, semi-threat)
Either you can eat the pie or I'll eat it. I don't really care who eats it.  (no preference)	You eat the pie. Otherwise, I will.  (condition, alternative)

Common Mistakes

INCORRECT	FIXES
*Not only the Grand Canyon is deep but also is wide.	Not only is the Grand Canyon deep but also wide. (adjective + adjective) Not only is the Grand Canyon deep [is], but also it is wide. (clause + clause) Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject. When Not only...but also begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject.
*Not only the jokes but also the dialog were good.	Not only the jokes but also the dialog was good. (The verb agrees with closest noun.)
*Neither I took vacation nor I asked for sick leave.	Neither did   I   take vacation, nor did I ask for sick leave. Move the auxiliary verb in front of the subject. When Neither...nor begins a sentence and joins two verbs, the auxillary verb precedes the subject.
*Neither I nor my sons carries a mobile phone.   (Must compare two singlular item.s)	Neither I nor my son carries a mobile phone.

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Pop-Q "NOT only"

Both … and Joining sentence elements with paired conjunctions

Addition

BOTH . . . AND	NOT ONLY…, BUT (ALSO)
Both X and Y join like (same word form) elements in a sentence. This is a correlative conjuction.	Not only X but also Y: join like (same word form) elements in a sentence. The verb agrees with closest noun. The focusing adverbs not only and also draw attention to particular parts of a sentence. (See focusing verbs.)This is also a coordinating conjuction.
NOUNS Both the movie and the play were good.   (plural verb form)	NOUNS Not only the movie but also the play was good.   (verb agrees with 2nd noun)
I liked both the movie and the play.	I liked not only the movie but also the play.
MODIFIERS The actors were both engaging and skillful in their performances.	MODIFIERS The actors were not only engaging but also skillful in their performances.
The plot moved both swiftly and artfully throughout the movie.	The plot moved not only swiftly but also artfully throughout the movie.
INFINITIVES & GERUNDS The directors wanted both to win and to receive recognition for their work.	INFINITIVES & GERUNDS The directors wanted not only to win but also to receive recognition for their work.
The producers ended up both extending and expanding their filming hours.	The producers ended up not only extending but also expanding their filming hours.
VERBS Ebert both likes and recommends the movie.	VERBS Ebert not only likes but also recommends the movie.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES The movie is being shown both at The Fox Theater and in neighborhood theaters.	PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES The movie is being shown not only at the Fox Theater but also neighborhood theaters.

theater  US-Eng; theatre Br-Eng

Not only with an auxiliary verb

NO AUXILIARY ADDED	AUXILIARY BEFORE SUBJECT AND VERB
When not only is used at the beginning of a sentence, and it joins like (same form) elements of a sentence, no auxilairy verb is used. This is a coordinative conjuction.	When not only is used at the beginning of a sentence and joins two clauses, the auxilary verb of the not only clause is placed before the subject. This is a coordinating conjuction.
WORDS AND PHRASES Not only  you   but also   I   applauded the performance.  (noun + noun) You and I applauded the performance.	CLAUSES Not only did  I applaud, but I also stood up. I applauded the performance, and I stood up.
I like not only to watch movies but also to see plays. (infinitive + infinitive) I like to watch movies and see plays.	Not only do  I like to watch movies, but I also like to see plays. I like to watch movies, and I like to see plays.

The focusing adverbs not only and also draw attention to particular parts of the sentence. (See focusing verb.)

Punctuation — Phrase vs. Clause

WORDS AND PHRASES	CLAUSES
No comma is needed when joining equivalent sentence elements: noun-noun, modifier-modifier, verb-verb or verb-phrase--verb-phrase. This is a correlative conjuction.	A comma is used when joining a dependent clause to an independent clause. This is a coordinating conjuction.
We both applauded and stood up.  (no comma) We both clapped our hands and stomped our feet.	We not only applauded, but we also stood up. (independent clause + dependent clause)
I both liked the movie and loved the play.	I not only liked the movie, but I also loved the play.

Also seeindependent clause