In which of the following sentences is "but" used as a preposition?
A, I wanted to leave, but I was embarrassed to do so.
B. The lake is pretty, but it's too cold for swimming.
C. I would like to return to Italy, but I have no money.
D. We discovered that Candy will do anything but work.
2006-09-01 15:21:17 · 11 answers · asked by lol 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
I believe the answer is D. because in the other sentences the word is a conjunction. But, you can't prove it by me because I have been out of school for too many years!
2006-09-01 15:25:50 · answer #1 · answered by confused 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really a grammar whiz but,
I'd have to go with D
a preposition needs an object I think which is a noun that is not the subject of the sentence (or so Mrs Gerbig my 6th grade teacher told me many years ago...I wonder if she is still alive...)
looking at the sentences, only D seems to have a noun as an object of "but" that is "work"
also, note that the first three all have "but" after a comma, sort of connecting two separate parts of the sentence
i think this makes the word "but" a conjunction, or maybe thats not the right word but some kind of "joining" word
anyway, I'm voting for D
the others are all the same so it can't be them anyway
2006-09-01 15:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by enginerd 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"But" is not a preposition in any of them. As far as i know, but is never a preposition.
In sentences A, B and C it is a coordinting conjunction, similiar to the word "yet".
I am not sure about "but" in sentence D, but it is neither a spatial prepostion, or non-spatial (semantic) preposition.
If i had to make a guess about its use in "D" I would say it is a adverbial conditional. Its purpose is to connect the clause.
2006-09-01 15:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by allforasia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
D
*But is very seldom a preposition. When it is used as a preposition, but means the same as except--Everyone ate frog legs but Jamie. But usually functions as a coordinating conjunction.
2006-09-01 15:28:06 · answer #4 · answered by sunshine05rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
D
and I think I work with her.
2006-09-01 15:25:51 · answer #5 · answered by marie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
b
2006-09-01 15:29:51 · answer #6 · answered by weirdoonee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
d
2006-09-01 15:22:51 · answer #7 · answered by nisha10mabry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely is D
2006-09-02 04:32:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
D
2006-09-01 15:25:24 · answer #9 · answered by Janna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
D
2006-09-01 15:23:10 · answer #10 · answered by Layla Clapton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋