Question

In which one of the following sentences is but used as a preposition?

A. The lake is pretty, but it's too cold for swimming.
B. We discovered that Candy will do anything but work.
C. I wanted to leave, but I was embarrassed to do so.
D. I would like to return to Italy, but I have no money.

Answer 1

Answer: The sentence in which "but" is used as a preposition is B. We discovered that Candy will do anything but work.

Step-by-step explanation: A preposition is a word used to express a relation between two elements in the sentence. Although "but" is mainly used as a conjunction, it can also be used as a preposition. In sentence B., "but" is functioning as a preposition and its meaning is "except"; therefore, what the speaker is trying to say is that Candy will do anything except work. In contrast, in options A., B. and C., "but" has been used as a conjunction.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B.

In this sentence, "but" is used as a preposition before a noun, and the full prepositional phrase is "but work."

In the other three sentences, "but" is used as a coordinating conjunction in compound sentence. In these sentences, "but" joins two independent clauses to form a compound sentence.

It is only in sentence B that "but" functions as a preposition.