Objection

ἀλλά is often used when a speaker introduces a supposed objection (either in his own name or in that of his opponent), and immediately answers it; as ἀλλὰ νὴ τὸν Δία ἐκεῖν᾽ ἂν ἴσως εἴποι πρὸς ταῦτα κτλ. but, by Zeus, he might perhaps say in reply to this, etc. D. 20.3. ἀλλά may here put the supposed objection and also give the answer. Thus, τί γὰρ καὶ βουλόμενοι μετεπέμπεσθ᾽ ἂν αὐτοὺς ἐν τούτῳ τῷ καιρῷ; ἐπὶ τὴν εἰρήνην; ἀλλ᾽ ὑπῆρχεν ἅπᾱσιν· ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ τὸν πόλεμον; ἀλλ᾽ αὐτοὶ περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης ἐβουλεύεσθε for with what possible desire would you have been sending them at that juncture? With a view to peace? Why (but) peace was open to all. With a view to war? Why (but) you were yourselves deliberating about peace D. 18.24. Cp. French mais introducing a reply to a question.

a. So in rapid dialogue objections may take the form of questions, in which each ἀλλά after the first may be rendered by or. Cp. 2654.

ἀλλά with other Particles.—For example:

ἀλλὰ γάρ 2816; on οὐ γὰρ ἀλλά, see 2767.

ἀλλὰ . . . γε but at any rate.

ἀλλά γέ τοι (τοί γε) yet at least, yet be sure.

ἀλλὰ δή well then.

ἀλλ᾽ ἦ; why how? can it really be that? what, can it be true? Here ἀλλά marks surprise, while ἦ asks the question.

ἀλλὰ μέντοι nay, but; well, however; yet truly. On οὐ μέντοι ἀλλά, see 2767.

ἀλλὰ μήν nay, but; but then; but surely. Often to introduce an objection, to reject an alternative, often merely to introduce a new idea or to resume an interrupted thought. On οὐ μὴν ἀλλά, see 2767.

ἀλλ᾽ ὅμως but still. Often without a verb, to introduce the reply to an objection.

ἀλλ᾽ οὐδέ is sometimes used elliptically, as in ὑπὲρ . . . ὧν οὗτος ἀπήγγειλε πρὸς ῡ̔μᾶς ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ μῑκρόν nay, there is not even ever so little (not only not a great deal but not even a little) concerning which he reported to you D. 19.37. ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ μὲν δή is often used to reject an alternative.

ἀλλ᾽ οὖν (γε) but then, well then, well at any rate; stronger than δ᾽ οὖν.

ἀλλὰ γάρ has a great variety of uses, most of which may be classed as follows:

a. In statements of direct opposition: καὶ ταῦτά σε πολλοῦ δεῖ λεληθέναι, ἀλλὰ γὰρ οἶμαι δ̀ ἄρτι οὐκ ἔφησθα ποιεῖν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς and you are far from forgetting this, but in fact I think you are doing that which you just denied you were doing P. Charm. 166c.

N. This use is post-Homeric, rare in the drama, common in the orators and Plato. It is especially frequent in putting and setting aside an objection supposed to be raised by an opponent (hypophora). Cp. b.

b. In real and assumed objections (cp. at enim): καὶ ἀληθῆ γε ἔλεγον, ὦ Σώκρατες. ἴσως. ἀλλὰ γάρ, ὦ Εὐθύφρων, καὶ ἀλλὰ πολλὰ φῂς εἶναι ὅσια yes, and I said what was true, Socrates. Perhaps, but in fact, Euthyphron, you say that many other things too are holy P. Euth. 6d, ἀλλὰ γάρ, φήσει τις, οὐ ῥᾴδιον ἀεὶ λανθάνειν κακὸν ὄντα yes, but some one will say that it is not easy always to conceal the fact that one is wicked P. R. 365c.

c. In transitions.—(1) At the close of the discussion of an argument, where the force of ἀλλά is like that of and yet or emphatic but. Thus, ἀλλὰ γάρ, ὦ βουλή, ταῦτα μὲν ἐνθάδε οὐκ οἶδ᾽ ὅ τι δεῖ λέγειν but, Senators, I do not know why I should discuss these matters here L. 7.42, ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἤδη ὥρᾱ ἀπιέναι but it is already time to depart P. A. 42a.

(2) To restrain the expression of emotion; as ἀλλ᾽ ἄναξ γάρ ἐστ᾽ ἐμός, σῑγῶ but no, I am silent for he is my king E. El. 1245.

(3) When the approach of a new actor is announced. Cp. 2817, 2818.

Adversative δέ often marks a silent contrast, as at the beginning of speeches (ἐγὼ δὲ οὕτω γιγνώσκω X. A. 4.6.10); in questions which imply opposition to something just said (S. O. C. 57); in answers (S. O. T. 379); in objections or corrections (S. Ant. 517); in τὸ δέ, τὰ δέ on the contrary, whereas really, where a true opinion is opposed to a false one; similarly in νῦν δέ but in fact, but as the case stands. When δέ is balanced by μέν (2904) it is antithetical rather than adversative.

a. δέ after a pronoun following a vocative produces a pause; as Νιόβᾱ σὲ δ᾽ ἔγωγε νέμω θεόν ah Niobe, thee I regard as divine S. El. 150.

b. δέ instead of ἀλλά is rare except in the poets and Thucydides. Thus, προμηνῡ́σῃς γε τοῦτο μηδενὶ τοὖργον, κρυφῆ δὲ κεῦθε make known this plan to no one, but hide it in secret S. Ant. 85, οὐκ ἐπὶ κακῷ, ἐπ᾽ ἐλευθερώσει δὲ τῶν Ἑλλήνων παρελήλυθα I have come, not to harm, but to liberate, the Greeks T. 4.86. Sometimes οὐ μέν precedes when δέ is used like ἀλλά<*>(T. 1.50).

c. But not is ἀλλ᾽ οὐ or οὐ μέντοι, not οὐ δέ, in order to avoid confusion with οὐδέ nor, not even. But οὐ and δέ may be separated, as οὐ βουλομένων δέ . . . προσχωρεῖν but since they did not wish to surrender X. H. 1.6.13.

In questions, καί before an interrogative expression marks an objection occasioned by surprise or indignation; as καὶ τίς θανόντων ἦλθεν ἐξ Ἅιδου πάλιν; and, pray, who of the dead has come back from Hades? E. H. F. 297. So καὶ πῶς; pray, how comes it that? Cp. Eng. and when a speaker is stopped by an abrupt question.

a. After an interrogative expression adverbial καί asks for further information concerning a statement assumed to be true. Thus, ποίου χρόνου δὲ καὶ πεπόρθηται πόλις; but when was the city captured? A. Ag. 278. Cp. 2884.