anything except

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything except" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all options are included except for one or more specific items. Example: "I will eat anything except mushrooms; I really can't stand their taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You do not find anything except skyscrapers".

Independent

Or a concept of anything, except fucking".

The New Yorker

It didn't mean anything, except to George.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't have anything except for this.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't look like anything except itself.

The New York Times - Arts

I would try anything, except some things.

The Guardian - Film

"No one got anything, except her.

The New York Times

It doesn't stand for anything except patronage".

The New York Times

I wasn't bad in anything except sports.

The New York Times

He hasn't done anything, except spend money".

The New York Times

Real Spartans could withstand anything, except conjunctivitis.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "anything except", ensure the context clearly outlines the boundaries of inclusion before specifying the exclusion to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "anything except" in contexts where the overall scope isn't clearly defined, which can lead to confusion about what is actually included. Always establish the complete set before specifying the exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything except" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception or exclusion to a general statement. It clarifies what is not included within a broader category. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showcasing that it is a standard phrase to clearly demarcate exclusions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anything except" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for expressing exclusions or limitations within a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and appears across various contexts, though predominantly in news and media. While "anything except" is neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "anything other than" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. The examples available through Ludwig showcase the phrase's versatility in expressing preferences, restrictions, and conditions, solidifying its place as a useful tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything but

Emphasizes inclusion of all items with a specific exclusion.

all except

Highlights a comprehensive set with a noted exception.

anything excluding

Uses a present participle to specify the exclusion.

anything other than

Offers a slightly more formal alternative for indicating exclusion.

excluding

Directly specifies what is not included.

nothing but

Indicates that only the specified item is included, in contrast to excluding.

with the exception of

A more formal way of stating an exclusion.

solely

Implies exclusivity; that something is the only thing present or considered.

just

Indicates restriction to a particular item or action.

only

Similar to 'just', but often used to emphasize the limited scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "anything except" to specify exclusions from a general statement. For example, "I will eat "anything except" shellfish" means you're willing to eat everything but shellfish.

What's a more formal alternative to "anything except"?

A more formal alternative would be "anything other than" or "with the exception of anything". These phrases provide a more sophisticated tone in professional or academic writing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "everything except" instead of "anything except"?

Yes, "everything except" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "anything except", although "everything except" implies a more exhaustive scope.

How does the meaning change if I use "nothing but" instead of "anything except"?

Using "nothing but" completely reverses the meaning. "Anything except" excludes something, while "nothing but" includes only that thing and excludes everything else.