Learn English – Is it correct to use “but” as a positive connecting word

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I'm wondering if it is correct to use but as a positive connecting word. Below is a small example:

… is the perfect opportunity to improve my knowledge but also gain new experience with …

Is this allowed or should I rather use and?

Best Answer

But always contradicts, and is therefore almost always negative. You can use it as "positive connecting word", but only if it's contradicting a previous negatively-oriented statement:

... not only is this the perfect opportunity to improve my knowledge but also to gain new experience with ...

If it's not contradicting anything, don't use but. Use and.