Frombut

Frombut is a fictional term used in this article to describe a hypothetical discourse marker that signals a transition from a stated proposition to a contrasting qualification. The term is a portmanteau of from and but, and is not attested as a conventional term in established grammars. In this imagined framework, frombut functions at the level of sentence or clause and serves to simultaneously present an initial claim and flag a forthcoming exception or revision.

Definition and categories: As a marker, frombut is typically placed at the boundary between two clauses. The first clause states a position or finding; the following clause, introduced or signaled by frombut, qualifies, contradicts, or refines it. The construction emphasizes a shift in stance rather than a simple contradiction.

Usage: In example sentences, frombut can appear mid-sentence or at the start of a second clause. Examples include: The policy appears cost-saving, frombut the long-term liabilities are not yet accounted for. He argued for acceleration, frombut the risks were underexplored. In academic writing, frombut can be used to model how researchers acknowledge limitations before presenting conclusions.

Variants: Some analyses treat frombut as a two-part marker similar to a concessive phrase; others treat it as a single unit functioning like yet or however. It may co-occur with hedges or commitment verbs, depending on discourse goals.

See also: discourse marker, concessive clause, contrastive conjunction.