ac
/ɑːk/
The English phrase 'but' is translated into Old English as ac.
Meaning: except (conj)
Which one should you use?
While ac functions as the conjunction meaning 'but', it is distinct from the prepositional use of 'except', which may be handled by different particles depending on the syntactic context.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑːk/
Did you know?
- In Old English, ac was used for sharp contrasts, while the word but already existed and was used primarily to mean 'except'.
- The Old English ac is a direct linguistic descendant of the Proto-Germanic root *ak, linking it to the very foundations of the Germanic language family.
Examples in context
- Sēo æx forġiett, ac þæt trēow ġeman.The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.This sentence shows how to use ac to contrast two different actions.
- Iċ eom Iūdēisċ wīf, ac nā ġelēafful.I'm a Jew, but not a religious one.This sentence shows how to use ac to contrast identity and character.Tatoeba #13902335 by rul, translation #8490258 by shekitten
- Ic ne hæbbe fēoh, ac Ic hæbbe swefnu.I have no money, but I have dreams.This sentence shows how to use ac to contrast what one lacks with what one possesses.Tatoeba #8865598 by iiujik, translation #18594 by Swift
- Mine frēondas læraþ me, ac ic ne gehȳre.My friends advise me, but I do not listen.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing who is coming to a feast.
- ÆthelstanEalle guman cumaþ, ac se cyning ne cymþ.All the men are coming, but the king is not coming.
- WulfrunHwȳ ne cymþ hē?Why does he not come?
- ÆthelstanHē is on his byrig.He is in his fortress.
- WulfrunÞæt is sār.That is a pity.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ac, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ac, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
