Yes, it can. In the example you give, one could substitute a undisputed preposition like "except" and get the same meaning. With different meanings we can substitute other prepositions and the structure remains the same: behind, with, ahead of, after, near, under, above, etc. So it fills a slot that is a prepositional slot. It's semantic connection to the coordinating conjunction "but" is remote. Herb -----Original Message----- From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Adams Sent: 2008-02-28 20:34 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: But as a preposition? In a sentence like this Everyone but Craig is going to the movies. what lexical class is "but"? Can it be a preposition? Peter Adams To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/