but that ²

but that 如同 except that, in that 一样, 应看成是复合从属连词 (complex subordinator), 而不要看成是介词 + that 的结构。此种用法的 but that 通常可以译为: “要不是” (= except that)。

1. The old woman would have been drowned but that a passer-by dragged her out of the water. 要不是一位过路人把这位老太太从水里拉上来，她就淹死了。

2. He would have helped us but that he was short of money at the time. (ALD) 要不是他当时没有钱,他就帮助我们了。

请注意, but that 从句本身所描述的情景是真实的, 因而应当用陈述语气, 但是, 由于 but that 在语义上表示“假如它所描述的真实情景不存在的话”, 因此主句常常提出与事实相反的情景, 所以主句大都用虚拟语气。

1. He would have left but that he ____ afraid.

A.is B.was C.has been D.had

2. But that he ____ it himself, he could not have believed.

A. saw B. had not seen C. didn't see D. has seen

(参见 but $^{3}$ )