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Hi,

I'd like to know the reason why "to infinitive"is followed by "but" as "I have no choice but to go back."
I learned that "~ing" form is followed by a preposition.


Best regard.

Sometimes an infinitive serves nominally, as here where it stands as a complement to quasi-prepositional 'but'.

The same thing occurs with some other prepositions with similar meaning, e.g.

There was nothing to be done except TO RETURN and search again the following day.