all except

USAGE SUMMARY

'all except' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'all except' to refer to every person or thing in a group except for one, or to refer to all of the choices with one exception. For example, "We are going to the beach, all except Ben who is not feeling well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All except Fields are white.

The New York Times - Magazine

All except Mike.

The New York Times

All except Feuer.

The Guardian - Sport

All except Grossbart.

The New Yorker

All except this one.

The Guardian

All except for one.

The New Yorker

All except for Martin's tail lights.

Independent

They have it all; except enough sleep.

The Economist

Well, all except Brazilians, she said.

The New York Times

All except the Mayor voted against it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

All... except for Wendy's".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all except", ensure the context makes it clear what 'all' refers to, to prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "all except" when you mean 'almost all'. "All except" indicates a specific exclusion, while 'almost all' suggests a quantity is slightly less than the total. For example, don't say "All except students passed the test" when many failed; use 'Almost all students passed the test' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all except" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, it specifies which elements are excluded from the 'all' being referred to. It indicates a limitation or qualification to a broader claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all except" is a versatile phrase used to introduce exceptions to general statements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, science, and wiki sources, it serves to clarify claims by explicitly stating exclusions. While alternatives like "with the exception of" and "excluding" exist, "all except" offers a balanced level of formality suitable for many situations. Remember to use it carefully to avoid ambiguity and to differentiate it from 'almost all'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exception of

More formal and explicitly indicates an exception.

other than

Directly specifies that something is different or excluded.

excluding

A more concise way to express the exclusion.

not including

Clearly states that something is not being counted or considered.

apart from

Indicates something is set aside or not included.

besides

Similar to 'apart from', but can also mean 'in addition to'.

save for

A somewhat archaic but still valid way to denote an exception.

but

A simpler conjunction indicating a contrast or exception.

minus

A more mathematical way to indicate exclusion.

without

Indicates the absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "all except" in a sentence?

Use "all except" to specify an exclusion from a general statement. For example, "All the students passed the exam, "all except" John."

What is a good alternative to "all except"?

Alternatives to "all except" include "with the exception of", "excluding", or "apart from", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "all except" and "all but"?

While similar, "all except" directly excludes a specific item or person. "All but" can sometimes imply 'almost all', so choose "all except" for clearer exclusion.

Can I use "all except" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "all except" can sound awkward. It's generally better to rephrase the sentence for better flow. For instance, instead of "All except John went to the party", consider "Everyone went to the party, "except for" John".