but except for that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but except for that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to indicate that everything is fine or acceptable, with the exception of one specific issue or detail. Example: "The meeting went well, but except for that one technical glitch, everything was perfect."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But except for that occasion, he has not made waves for the administration.

The New York Times

But except for that and a tense meeting with the Teton Sioux, relations with Indians were cordial.

The Economist

Yes, the flat 6 engine is in the back, but except for that and a few superficial sops to tradition, it's a brash leap beyond any previous 911.

The New York Times

Mankiewicz finally lets us see Maria dance — a provocative Americanized flamenco — but, except for that moment, the part is nearly unplayable.

The New Yorker

But except for that one shot of TEMER JAMAIS, I actually felt it would be so much stronger if I didn't close the circle.

The Guardian - Arts

But except for that instance, the connections between the poetry and the music were tenuous, and the poems interrupted the flow of the recital more than they illuminated the music.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That's an option now that you could run Hangout or Google Music directly on the watch, but, except for runners, that's likely not a typical use case.

TechCrunch

Yeah, except for that.

Vice

EXCEPT for food, that is.

The New York Times - Travel

So there has been animosity between the Justices in the past, but in my day — except for that between Felix and Bill — there has been none".

The New Yorker

But Conklin stopped them all — except for that one from Frolov that did not count.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "but except for that" in formal writing. It is grammatically incorrect and can be replaced with more standard alternatives like "but aside from that".

Common error

Be aware that "but except for that" contains redundant elements. The "but" and "except" both serve to introduce an exception, making the phrase unnecessarily wordy. Opt for a single, clearer connector.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but except for that" functions as a conjunction, attempting to introduce an exception or qualification to a previous statement. However, Ludwig AI points out it is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but except for that" attempts to express an exception or qualification. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, as noted by Ludwig AI. While it may appear in informal contexts, it's best to replace it with alternatives like "but aside from that" or "other than that" for clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase's presence in news media doesn't validate its correctness, emphasizing the importance of using standard grammar in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but aside from that

Replaces "except" with "aside from", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

but other than that

Substitutes "except" with "other than", providing a common and straightforward alternative.

however, excluding that

Introduces a contrast with "however" and uses "excluding" to specify the exception.

yet, apart from that

Uses "yet" for contrast and "apart from" to indicate the exception.

still, with that exception

Employs "still" to show contrast and specifies "with that exception".

nonetheless, save for that

Uses "nonetheless" for contrast and "save for" to indicate the exception.

but with that aside

Replaces "except" with "with that aside", slightly changes the structure.

besides that one thing

Offers a more informal way to express the exception.

excluding that particular instance

Provides a more formal and specific way to indicate the exception.

barring that specific case

Introduces a legalistic or formal tone.

FAQs

Is "but except for that" grammatically correct?

No, "but except for that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "but aside from that" or "other than that".

What's a more concise way to say "but except for that"?

You can use phrases like "aside from that", "other than that", or simply "except for that".

When is it appropriate to use "but except for that"?

While not recommended for formal writing, "but except for that" might appear in informal speech. However, it's always preferable to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "but except for that" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "however excluding that", "yet apart from that", or "nonetheless save for that", depending on the context.