The word(s) "but" appears 1287 time(s) in 1137 verse(s) in Quran in Mohsin Khan translation.

(971) Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "I am not a new thing among the Messengers (of Allah i.e. I am not the first Messenger) nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am but a plain warner."

(972) but he who says to his parents: "Fie upon you both! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up (again) when generations before me have passed away (without rising)?" While they (father and mother) invoke Allah for help (and rebuke their son): "Woe to you! Believe! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true." but he says: "This is nothing but the tales of the ancient."

(973) And remember (Hud) the brother of 'Ad, when he warned his people in Al-Ahqaf (the curved sand-hills in the southern part of Arabian Peninsula). And surely, there have passed away warners before him and after him (saying): "Worship none but Allah; truly, I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)."

(974) He said: "The knowledge (of the time of its coming) is with Allah only. And I convey to you that wherewith I have been sent, but I see that you are a people given to ignorance!"

(975) Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud bringing us rain!" Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened - a wind wherein is a painful torment!

(976) And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you (O Quraish)! And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts; but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah's Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!

(977) Then why did those whom they had taken for alihah (gods) besides Allah, as a way of approach (to Allah) not help them? Nay, but they vanished completely from them (when there came the torment). And that was their lie, and their inventions which they had been inventing (before their destruction).

(978) Therefore be patient (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) as did the Messengers of strong will and be in no haste about them (disbelievers). On the Day when they will see that (torment) with which they are promised (i.e. threatened, it will be) as if they had not stayed more than an hour in a single day. (O mankind! this Qur'an is sufficient as) a clear Message (or proclamation to save yourself from destruction). but shall any be destroyed except the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious against Allah's Command, the disobedient to Allah)?

(979) but those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) - for it is the truth from their Lord - He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state.

(980) So, when you meet (in fight - Jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam and are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). but (He lets you fight) in order to test some of you with others. but those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.