all except one

USAGE SUMMARY

"all except one" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that there is only one exception to a larger group or set of items. For example: "All of the students had passed their exams, all except one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The expression "intake on a regular basis" was understood by all, except one patient.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We recognize all except one.

The New York Times

A good friend has done them all except one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well, all except one critic that is... Gareth McLean of the Guardian.

The Guardian

All, except one patient with cardiogenic shock, had pulmonary ARDS.

Annals of Intensive Care

However, all except one study compared self-initiated and externally-produced auditory stimuli in separate conditions.

Cortex

All, except one, did not have kidney adaptation to metabolic acidosis.

Annals of Intensive Care

Follow-up intervals were similar in all except one trial.

BMC Cancer

All, except one study 10, adjusted for smoking status.

Cancer Medicine

The ethnicity of all except one woman was White.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

All except one--David had won the fellowship themselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all except one" to clearly indicate that a statement applies to every member of a group with a single, specific exception.

Common error

Ensure the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "All were present, all except one", specify who was absent: "All team members were present, all except John."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all except one" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun phrase by specifying a quantity with a single exclusion. Ludwig provides examples that demonstrate its role in setting a clear boundary, indicating that nearly all members of a group fulfill a condition while pinpointing one exception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all except one" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a near-universal application with a specific exclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, especially in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure the exception is clearly defined. Alternatives like "all but one" offer similar meaning. The phrase functions to emphasize both the general rule and the specific exception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but one

This alternative uses "but" instead of "except", providing a slightly more concise way to express the same exclusion.

all apart from one

This alternative uses "apart from" to specify the exclusion, adding a bit more emphasis on the separation.

all with one exception

This phrase explicitly states that there's an exception to the "all", clarifying the exclusion.

everything but one

Replaces "all" with "everything", suitable when referring to non-countable items or situations.

every one except one

Adds "every one" for a more emphatic form of "all", highlighting the individual elements.

all excluding one

Uses "excluding" to directly indicate the act of omission from the group.

save for one

A more formal or literary way of saying "except for one".

with the exception of one

A more formal and explicit phrasing emphasizing the exceptional nature of the single excluded item.

almost all

This phrase implies near-completeness without explicitly stating the exclusion, softening the impact.

nearly all

Similar to "almost all", indicating a high degree of inclusion with a subtle implication of a minor exclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "all except one" to indicate that a statement applies to every member of a group with a single exception. For example, "All the students passed the test, "all except one"."

What's a simpler way to say "all except one"?

Alternatives include "all but one", which is a more concise and commonly used expression with the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "all but one" instead of "all except one"?

Yes, "all but one" is a perfectly acceptable and often preferred alternative to "all except one". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "all except one" and "almost all"?

"All except one" explicitly states that there is one exception, while "almost all" implies a near-complete inclusion without directly mentioning the exclusion. The former is more precise, the latter more general.