You know,
In the sentence above, the A2 structure “BE + adjective + BUT + adjective” is used. Here, “BE” is represented by “is”, and the adjectives are “sad” and “true”.
The conjunction “but” is used to connect these two adjectives. In this context, “but” is used to express a contrast or contradiction between two ideas. The phrase “sad but true” suggests that the truth of the matter is regrettable or disappointing.
So, the sentence is expressing that the speaker acknowledges a certain fact or reality (the ‘true’ part), but finds it unfortunate or disheartening (the ‘sad’ part). It’s a way of saying, “I wish it weren’t so, but this is the reality.” This structure allows the speaker to convey complex feelings or opinions about a situation.
In the sentence “Easily the most stylish of the bunch, the Romeos are simple but comfortable”, the word “but” is used to combine two adjectives – “simple” and “comfortable”.
The conjunction “but” is often used to connect contrasting ideas or qualities. In this case, “simple” and “comfortable” are not necessarily contrasting, but they highlight different aspects of the Romeos. The use of “but” suggests that despite their simplicity (which could often be associated with lack of comfort), the Romeos are comfortable.
So, the sentence is saying that the Romeos stand out as the most stylish in a group (“the bunch”), and they have the qualities of being both simple and comfortable. This combination of adjectives gives us a more complete understanding of what the Romeos are like.
TLC STUDENT SPEAKING TEST:
Driving in the city is cool but difficult.
male China B2
A search in iWeb for:
_VB _JJ but _JJ
1 IS SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 216
2 ‘S SAD BUT TRUE 181
3 IS SAD BUT TRUE 126
4 ARE SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 102
5 ARE SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT 90
6 IS SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL 89
7 IS SMALL BUT MIGHTY 88
8 IS SHORT BUT SWEET 77
9 IS SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT 76
10 IS POSSIBLE BUT UNLIKELY 75
11 BE POLITE BUT FIRM 71
12 IS SUBTLE BUT IMPORTANT 60
13 IS SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT 54
14 ARE SMALL BUT MIGHTY 52
15 IS GREAT BUT ONLY 52
16 IS POSSIBLE BUT ONLY 49
17 WAS SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 49
18 ARE AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE 47
19 ‘S SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 47
20 WAS SHORT BUT SWEET 46
21 IS RARE BUT POSSIBLE 45
22 BE GENTLE BUT FIRM 44
23 IS GOOD BUT ONLY 43
24 IS TRUE BUT ONLY 42
25 IS UNLIKELY BUT POSSIBLE 42
26 IS NECESSARY BUT INSUFFICIENT 41
27 IS MOIST BUT WELL-DRAINED 40
28 ARE SIMPLE BUT COMFORTABLE 39
Easily the most stylish of the bunch,
the Romeos are simple but comfortable.
29 ARE SMALL BUT IMPORTANT 38
30 IS SMALL BUT POWERFUL 37
31 IS FREE BUT ONLY 36
32 ARE SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL 36
33 IS AVAILABLE BUT ONLY 36
34 BE FIRM BUT FAIR 35
35 BE FIRM BUT POLITE 35
36 ARE GREAT BUT ONLY 34
37 ARE SUBTLE BUT IMPORTANT 33
38 ARE BASIC BUT CLEAN 31
39 IS POSSIBLE BUT DIFFICULT 31
40 WAS BASIC BUT CLEAN 31
41 ARE RARE BUT SERIOUS 30
42 ARE SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT 29
43 ARE GOOD BUT ONLY 29
44 ARE NECESSARY BUT INSUFFICIENT 28
45 BEEN SLOW BUT STEADY 28
46 IS SHORT BUT STEEP 28
47 IS SLOW BUT STEADY 28
48 IS SMALL BUT GROWING 28
49 IS SMALL BUT IMPORTANT 28
50 WAS NERVOUS BUT EXCITED 28
51 IS AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE 27
52 IS IMPORTANT BUT ONLY 27
53 ARE AVAILABLE BUT ONLY 26
54 ARE SMALL BUT CLEAN 26
55 IS DIFFICULT BUT POSSIBLE 26
56 WAS SHEER BUT BUILDABLE 26
57 IS GOOD BUT EXPENSIVE 25
58 IS SIMPLE BUT PROFOUND 25
59 IS SUBTLE BUT NOTICEABLE 25
60 WAS SLOW BUT STEADY 25
61 IS CHALLENGING BUT FUN 24
62 WAS SMALL BUT ADEQUATE 24
63 ARE SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT 23
64 IS BASIC BUT COMFORTABLE 23
65 IS SIMPLE BUT DELICIOUS 23
66 IS FINE BUT ONLY 22
67 ARE GOOD BUT EXPENSIVE 22
68 IS SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT 22
69 IS SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT 22
70 ‘S POSSIBLE BUT UNLIKELY 21
71 IS POSSIBLE BUT RARE 21
72 IS SIMPLE BUT BEAUTIFUL 21
73 IS SOFT BUT DURABLE 21
74 BE SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 20
75 IS GENTLE BUT EFFECTIVE 20
76 IS LIGHTWEIGHT BUT STURDY 20
77 IS OK BUT ONLY 20
78 IS SIMPLE BUT BRILLIANT 20
79 IS SMALL BUT NICE 20
80 IS TOUGH BUT FAIR 20
81 IS EQUAL BUT OPPOSITE 19
82 IS LIGHTWEIGHT BUT DURABLE 19
83 IS SIMPLE BUT FUN 19
84 WAS SMALL BUT CLEAN 19
85 WAS TOUGH BUT FAIR 19
86 IS DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY 18
87 ARE BASIC BUT COMFORTABLE 18
88 ARE EQUAL BUT OPPOSITE 18
89 BE THICK BUT POURABLE 18
90 IS SERIOUS BUT STABLE 18
91 IS SMALL BUT ADEQUATE 18
92 IS SMALL BUT BEAUTIFUL 18
93 IS SMALL BUT NOTICEABLE 18
94 BE FIRM BUT GENTLE 17
95 ARE RARE BUT POSSIBLE 17
96 ARE POSSIBLE BUT RARE 17
97 ARE SEPARATE BUT RELATED 17
98 IS DIFFICULT BUT ESSENTIAL 17
99 WAS SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT 17
100 IS BASIC BUT FUNCTIONAL 16
A2 vocabulary:
available, brilliant, comfortable, fair, free, growing, opposite, polite, simple, soft, true
Notice that comparatives are rarer:
1 SADDER BUT WISER 44
2 SHORTER BUT WIDER 37
3 SLOWER BUT CHEAPER 35
4 OLDER BUT WISER 23
5 SHORTER BUT STEEPER 22
6 WIDER BUT SHORTER 20
7 SLOWER BUT STRONGER 18
8 SMALLER BUT HEAVIER 16
9 SMALLER BUT STRONGER 14
10 SMALLER BUT HIGHER 13
The phrase “sadder but wiser” means that someone has learned from their mistakes, even though they may have been painful. It is often used to express the idea that life experiences, both positive and negative, can teach us valuable lessons that make us better people.
The phrase is thought to have originated in the 1500s, and it has been used in a variety of contexts over the years. For example, it has been used in literature, music, and film to explore themes such as love, loss, redemption, and personal growth.
Here are some examples of how the phrase “sadder but wiser” might be used in a sentence:
- “After my divorce, I was sadder but wiser.
I learned a lot about myself and what I want in a partner.” - “The company made some mistakes in the early days, but they are sadder but wiser now. They have learned from their mistakes and are now more successful than ever.”
- “The young woman was sadder but wiser after her experience with the abusive boyfriend. She learned that she deserved to be treated with respect and that she should never settle for less.”
The phrase “sadder but wiser” is a reminder that even the most difficult experiences can teach us valuable lessons. It is also a reminder that we should never give up on ourselves, even if we make mistakes.
We can only get one superlative example from iWeb:
1 HARDEST BUT BEST 13
The hardest but best way to learn is by doing.
This sentence captures the idea that the most challenging experiences can also be the most rewarding. When we push ourselves to do things that are hard, we grow and learn in ways that we wouldn’t otherwise.
For example, learning a new language can be very difficult, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have.