You may consider it useless, but for our customers it's an all-important sign of good service.

The house was silent but for the scraping of a branch on the slates.

这所房子寂静无声,只听见树枝刮擦着石板瓦吱吱作响.

I'd have been lost but for you.

要不是你，我就走迷路了。

But for your magic hand, I'd have long kicked the bucket.

要不是你妙手回春，我早就见阎王了。

He has many faults , but for all that I like him.

他有许多缺点,尽管如此, 我仍喜欢他.

But for the rain we should have had a pleasant journey.

要不是下雨,我们会有一次愉快的旅行.

But for me television is an escape.

但是对我而言，看电视是一种逃避的方法。

He tried to speak, but for once, his voice had left him.

他想说话，却一时语塞。

But for you, they might have given us the slip.

要不是你，我们可能已经被他们甩掉了。

At first he was a little shy in class, but now he acts more natural.

他起初在班里有点害羞, 不过现在自然多了.

The two didn't get along in the past but now they hit it off well.

过去他俩不大对头,现在却合得来了.

Business may have been a little slow at first, but now we're cooking with gas!

一开始也许生意不大景气, 不过我们现在卻红红火火!

The boss came back from holiday all relaxed and smiling, but now he's reverting to type.

老板刚度假回来时十分随和,满面笑容, 现在又恢复原样了.

She told me not to repeat it, but now I don't suppose it matters.

她曾告诉我不要再重蹈覆辙，但这下我认为已经无关紧要了。

We have been cutting back a bit: we did have thirteen horses, but now it's nine.

我们已经作了一些削减：原来我们是有13匹马，现在只有9匹。

The morning began fine, but now clouds are banking up.

早晨开始是晴天, 可是现在乌云密布.

She was ill but now she is well again.

她生病了,不过现在已经康复了.

He was dry for years but now he's back on the booze.

他已戒酒多年,但现在又开始喝了.

He used to be a pilot but now he has a desk job .

他曾是飞行员，但现在做办公室工作。

We had lots before but now we've run out.

我们以前有很多，但是现在已经用完了。

It was great to begin with but now it's difficult.

一开始非常好，但现在可就难了。