all except for

USAGE SUMMARY

"all except for" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to denote that all items are included, with the exception of one specific item. For example, "I went to the store and bought apples, oranges, and grapefruit, all except for bananas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Duct tape it all, except for the non connector end.

WikiHow

All except for one.

The New Yorker

All except for Martin's tail lights.

Independent

He lost it all except for himself".

The New York Times

William outlived them all, except for Joan.

The Guardian

All, except for courses that inspired him.

The New York Times

Nothing has changed at all except for the curfew".

The New York Times

All except for two women -- Eugenia Shepard and Diana Vreeland.

The New York Times - Magazine

All, except for the first image, are of women.

The New York Times

Shrugs all around, all except for the most ardent of Nolan fanboys.

The Guardian - Film

"We gathered it all except for $128 that probably blew away," Mr. Fuhr said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all except for" to clearly indicate a single exception within a group. It's especially effective when you want to emphasize that the exception is minimal or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "except" alone when you intend to use "all except for". The phrase "except for" requires a broader context to make sense, whereas "except" can sometimes create ambiguity. Instead of saying, "The store was open except Sunday", use "The store was open all except for Sunday" to clarify that all other days are included.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all except for" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate an exclusion or exception from a general statement. Ludwig provides examples showing its consistent role in specifying items or individuals not included within a broader context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all except for" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate an exception within a larger set. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. Its frequency is very common across diverse contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "all but" and "with the exception of" exist, "all except for" offers a clear and direct way to express exclusion, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the exception and avoiding ambiguous substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but

Replaces 'except for' with 'but', providing a slightly more concise alternative.

all other than

A direct alternative, indicating that everything else is included besides the specified item.

all apart from

Uses 'apart from' instead of 'except for', offering a subtle variation in wording.

all with the exception of

A more formal and explicit way of stating an exception.

everyone except

Focuses on people rather than things, indicating that all individuals are included except for a specific one.

with the exclusion of

A formal and precise way to indicate that something is not included.

everything but

Emphasizes that all items or aspects are included excluding only certain ones.

excluding all but

Highlights the act of exclusion and focusing on the remaining item.

omitting only

Focuses on the act of leaving something out, emphasizing the omission.

save for

A more literary or archaic way of expressing an exception.

FAQs

How do I use "all except for" in a sentence?

Use "all except for" to indicate that everything is included with the exception of a specific item or case. For example, "I enjoy all fruits except for grapefruit" or "The class passed all tests except for the final exam".

What can I say instead of "all except for"?

You can use alternatives like "all but", "all apart from", or "with the exception of" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

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

While "all except" can sometimes be used, "all except for" is generally clearer and more grammatically sound. Using "for" adds a level of explicitness that can prevent ambiguity. It is advisable to use "all except for" in formal writing.

Which is correct: "everyone except for" or "everybody except for"?

Both "everyone except for" and "everybody except for" are correct. The choice between "everyone" and "everybody" largely depends on personal preference, as they are generally interchangeable. For example, you can say "Everyone enjoyed the party except for John" or "Everybody enjoyed the party except for John".