Sometimes but is just a conjunction that is necessary in a sentence where the second part is an exception from the first part. You can't expel it from your language wholesale without having to do some weird verbal gymnastics.
I am going to start with this because you are right sometimes a but is simply a necessary part of a sentence.
For me, buts were huge. For most of us they actually are and we don't realize it until we start paying real attention to it. Getting called on it every time you turn around. LOL.
Verbal gymnastics to avoid them, feel like that at first. Eventually, you find ways to not use buts at all. And it becomes natural. And then, when you find yourself wanting to use it, you look at why.
I will rephrase what you wrote about the skiing...
Originally Posted By: Ad
I like skiing but my husband doesn't.
I like skiing. My husband does not.
No need for the but. Just two simple facts being stated separatly from one another.
Usually when the but is inserted as you did, it is followed by something like "so I don't go do it." Which then turns it into an excuse of sorts.
And a dangerous one at that, because it lays the blame squarely on the shoulders of someone else. Whereas the statement with out the but does not unless it is followed with something that is clearly a blaming statement like...
"I like skiing. My husband does not. Because of that, I don't go."
"Acceptance doesn't mean resignation. It means understanding that something is what it is and there's got to be a way through it."--Michael J. Fox
