Page 126 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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Note also: broad shoulders; a broad bacle; wide eyes; a wide mouth. Wide is used in expressions of measurement: note the word order.
The river is about halfa mile wide. (NOT ••• ltIitle htllfa mile.) abstract meanings
Both words can express more abstract meanings. Common expressions: broad agreement (= agreement on most important points)
broad-minded (= tolerant) broad daylight (= full, bright daylight) a wide variety/range (of opinions etc)
For other common expressions with broad and II/ide, see a good dictionary.
but meaning 'except' use
We use but to mean 'except' after all, none, every, any, no (and everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, anywhere etc).
He eats nothing but hamburgers. Everybody's here but George.
I've finished all the jobs but one.
Note the expressions next but one, last but two etc (mainly BrE).
Jackie lives next door but one. (= two houses from me)
I was last but two in the race yesterday.
But for expresses the idea 'if something had not existed/happened'.
I would have been in real trouble but for your help.
But for the storm, I would have been home before eight.
Note also the structure who/what should . .. but (used to talk about surprising appearances, meetings etc).
I walked out of the station, and who should I see but old Beryl?
I looked under the bed, and what should I find but the keys I lost last week?
pronouns after but
After but, we usually use object pronouns (me, him etc). Subject pronouns (/, he etc) are possible in a more formal style before a verb.
Nobody but her would do a thing like that. (More formal: Nobody but she . ..)
verbs after but
The verb form after but usually depends on what carne before. Infinitives are normally without to.
She's not interested in anything but skiing. (interested in ... skiing)
That child does nothing but watch Tv. (does ... watch)
Cannot (help) but + infinitive without to is sometimes used with the meaning of 'can't help ...ing' (see 126). Cannot but ... is very formal; cannot help but . .. is especially common in American English.
One cannot (help) but admire his courage. (= One has to admire ...)
I can't help but wonder what's going to happen to us alL Infinitives with to are used after no alternative/choice/option but.
The train was cancelled. so I had no alternative but to take a taxi.
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