anyone except for

USAGE SUMMARY

'anyone except for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a group of people from which one particular person is excluded. For example, "Anyone except for John is welcome to attend the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

You'll take pretty much anyone except for mobsters.

The New York Times - Magazine

"ISAF did not shoot at anyone except for the three attackers".

The New York Times

There was no thought for others, for anyone except for self.

Independent

"And I cannot be that impressed with anyone, except for God".

The New York Times - Books

My trip has probably resulted in no change for anyone, except for me.

The Guardian

The whole book suspiciously doesn't mention anyone except for famous people which you suspect he's exaggerating about.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I don't know anyone, except maybe for someone who is naive and without experience who would do such a thing.

TechCrunch

She's as addicted to sex as anyone, except that for some weird reason she only wants to have sex with me.

Vice

But the approval of a drug with such sketchy evidence of efficacy doesn't profit anyone (except perhaps for the manufacturer's shareholders) and carries immense costs that work against the interests of patients and society as a whole.

Los Angeles Times

What else does anyone have except for a collection of slightly painful memories?

The New York Times - Arts

Then there is a teenage bully, Betty, who might actually be worse than anyone realises – except for Annabelle.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anyone except for" to clearly specify an exclusion within a broader group, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

In casual conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "everyone but" or "not including" to avoid sounding overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anyone except for" functions as a prepositional phrase used to specify an exclusion from a larger group. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct. This clarifies that while a general condition applies to a group, a particular individual is exempt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anyone except for" is a prepositional phrase that serves to specify an exclusion from a larger group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it is more suited to neutral or formal contexts; consider simpler alternatives like "everyone but" in casual settings. Remember to use it to set clear limitations or boundaries. The phrase helps writers to communicate conditions with specific individuals being exempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone but

Emphasizes inclusion with a specific exclusion.

any person excluding

More formal way to specify an exclusion from a group of people.

nobody else but

Highlights the exclusivity of a condition or action.

no one apart from

Indicates a separation or distinction from a larger set.

all people barring

Formally expresses a condition of exclusion.

excluding everyone else but

It stresses that just one person is an exception

with the exception of

Formally expresses an exclusion from a group.

aside from anyone

This suggests setting someone apart.

excepting anyone

Focuses on the act of making an exception.

but not

A simpler, more direct way to indicate an exclusion.

FAQs

How to use "anyone except for" in a sentence?

Use "anyone except for" to exclude a specific person from a general statement. For instance, "Anyone except for John is allowed to enter the room."

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

You can use alternatives like "everyone but", "excluding", or "not including" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "anyone except for" or "any one except for"?

"Anyone except for" is the correct phrasing when you intend to exclude one particular person from a group. "Any one except for" is grammatically correct in other scenarios but less common.

What's the difference between "anyone except for" and "no one except for"?

"Anyone except for" indicates that all individuals are included with one exclusion. "No one except for" means that no one is included except for a specific individual.