Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Dear teachers!!

They can communicate through language, but they can also communicate without words through kindness and friendship.
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I found the sentence in a certain grammar book. I have not the slightest idea why the word "but" is used here. I think that the writer should use "and" instead of "but," because people can communicate both with words and without words.

Thank you in advance.

[Christine123]

"And" could be used in this example, but it would slightly change the meaning of statement. One of the definitions of "but" is an adverb meaning "yet." The speaker is trying to clearly define the two types of communication as different, yet the same, which is somewhat contradictory. The definition of "and" is "in addition to." The speaker is not trying to state that "they" simply use two types of communication, one in addition to another (which is how you would use "and"), but that they use two seemingly contradictory types of communication.

I hope that makes sense!

[learner12]

Dear Christine123:

Thank you so much for your quick replies and giving in-depth information.

Take care and have a good weekend.

[learner12]

Dear Christine123:

They can communicate through language, but they can also communicate without words through kindness and friendship.
----->
They can (not only) communicate through language, but they can also communicate without words through kindness and friendship.

*****
So may I construe that the author didn't write the word "not only" by a certain reason?

Thank you in advance.

[Christine123]

I hope I correctly understand what you are asking:

If you were to insert "not only" where you did, and omit the word "but," it would convey the same meaning. The author did not use "not only" and "but" because using both in the same sentence would be redundant, though there is no grammatical reason why you would use one over the other.

[learner12]

Dear Christine123:

Thank you so much for your time.

You correctly understood what I am asking. GENIUS!!

Take care and have a nice day!!