How to Use "But" Correctly
Use "but" correctly as a conjunction, a preposition and at the beginning of a sentence. People may know that "but" needs a comma as a conjunction, but get confused when it's a preposition. Then they wonder if it is acceptable to start a sentence with "but." But with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it.
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Instructions
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Recognize "but" in all its forms and functions. Coordinating conjunctions link phrases or words of equal ranking in sentences. Occasionally "but" is used correctly to begin a sentence. Read more on that soon. "But" also can be a preposition that means "except."
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Know that as a coordinating conjunction, "but" nearly always requires a comma. For example: The zookeepers watched the lions in the cage, but they ignored a peacock on the run.
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Understand that it's acceptable for a sentence to begin with "but," like the conjunctive adverb "however." But try to keep it to a minimum. It's usually a conjunction.
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Use "but" as a preposition, as in "Everyone but Sally went to the museum." No comma is required for use as a preposition.
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Look at this list of coordinating conjunctions: and, or, yet, for, but, nor and so. Remember the acronym FANBOYS to recall these conjunctions.
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Observe how prepositions show location. Use the secret trick: The bee flew ____ the cup -- into the cup, beside the cup, around the cup, between the cup, over the cup. All those words before "the cup" are prepositions. "But" is a preposition, but it means "except." "Everyone laughed but Tom."
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