but:
1.作连词用, except. For example:
I had no choice but to sign the contract.
2.用在习惯用语中, you cannot / could not but …
(formal) used to show that everything else is impossible except the thing that you are saying:
For example:
What could he do but forgive her? (= that was the only thing possible)
3.作副词用, only. For example:
I don’t think we’ll manage it. Still, we can but try.
参考资料:http://www.njyyjy.com/bbs/redirect.php?tid=14311&goto=lastpost