"I checked our distributor who carries Dogfish, but they indicated that they thought that the company didn't brew enough for them to be able to stock it. So then I called Westy's, and they said they didn't currently have it but were expecting some in."
Note how both sentences end with a qualifying "but clause." These qualifying clauses are not always negative. Note how the first sentence ends on a negative note and the second sentence ends on an optimistic note. So, my "but clauses" are not always expressing negativity. Nonetheless, I am annoyed at myself for employing this construction so regularly. Consequently, I am beginning to edit myself when I find myself but-ing.
