BUT, pronoun, verb

Share on Facebook

Teo

#420373 Tue, 18 Sep 07 06:20 AM

In fact, if you look in a good dictionary you will see that the word but has six jobs to do:

verb, noun, adverb, pronoun, preposition and conjuction! http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/parts-of-speech_3.htm

I cannot find any examples of but used as a verb or a pronoun in the online dictionary. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/but

Can anyone help me?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,609)

Thank you very much for your reply.

Grammar, Verbs, Prepositions, Nouns, Pronouns, Adverbs

Clive

#420376 Tue, 18 Sep 07 06:59 AM

Hi,

In fact, if you look in a good dictionary you will see that the word but has six jobs to do:

verb, noun, adverb, pronoun, preposition and conjuction! http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/parts-of-speech_3.htm

I cannot find any examples of but used as a verb or a pronoun in the online dictionary. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/but

Can anyone help me?

My dictionary lists it as a verb in the standard phrase 'But me no buts'. However, I don't really think that makes it a 'real' verb.

My older Concise Oxford Dictionary lists 'but' as a 'negative relative pronoun'. I think the relevant example from its long list is 'I don't doubt but that she loves you'. However, it's pretty odd and unusual. If I were you, I wouldn't concern myself with 'but' as a pronoun. Smile [:)]

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,467)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Grammar, Verbs, Prepositions, Nouns, Pronouns, Adverbs, Negatives, Relative pronouns

Teo

#420377 Tue, 18 Sep 07 07:09 AM

Clive wrote:
My older Concise Oxford Dictionary lists 'but' as a 'negative relative pronoun'. I think the relevant example from its long list is 'I don't doubt but that she loves you'. However, it's pretty odd and unusual. If I were you, I wouldn't concern myself with 'but' as a pronoun.