εἰ μὴ [14 verses](conj particle) "Except" is ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," and "except." It is also used to create negative questions when the subjective negative would be used in the direct negative question. In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." Used with the historical present (present tense in past time) to express unfulfilled conditions and with aorist to refer the past. The mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."  Followed by an ἀλλὰ clause, the sense is "if not" some word related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least" but  -  (CW) "But is from Two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except." In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. This is not the word usually translated as "but." CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "but."