everybody except for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everybody except for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all individuals in a group are included, with the exception of one or more specific individuals. Example: "Everybody except for John is invited to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

When everybody except for the engineer is told to go home, Eno remains.

The New Yorker

"I think the whole world wanted C. C. on the mound, everybody except for my mom, Eric Wedge and my wife," Byrd said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everybody except for a few splinter groups wants this to happen," said Bob Callanan, a spokesman at the American Soybean Association.

The New York Times

What looked like a sweet deal that could satisfy everybody except for subsidized special interests, then, seems destined to fall apart on inspection.

The New York Times

"It's not so that when we make our European laws, then we say they count for everybody except for Chinese and Indians — and that is no different in the aviation sector," Ms. Hedegaard said.

The New York Times

But Wedge never wavered in starting Byrd, who rewarded Wedge's allegiance by pitching into the sixth inning as the Indians won, 4-2, advancednced to the A.L.C.S. "I think the whole world wanted C. C. out on the mound, everybody except for my mom, Eric Wedge and my wife," Byrd said last Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Very embarrassing for everybody, except of course the general.

Independent

Everybody at the table knew everybody else, except for me and a black welder in town for a specialist job.

The Guardian

"Virtually everybody except the Club for Growth and my primary opponent agree that a big tent is necessary to be the prevailing national party," Mr. Specter said in an interview.

The New York Times

"Everybody signed except for Ben Nelson, Emanuell said.

The New Yorker

Everybody wins, except for the fans.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "everybody except for", ensure the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify names or categories of people being excluded.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad exceptions that could confuse the reader. Instead of saying "everybody except for some people", be specific about who is excluded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everybody except for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating exclusion. It specifies an exception to a general statement about a group. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "everybody except for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate inclusion with a specific exclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "everyone but" exist, "everybody except for" offers a clear and effective way to express exceptions, making it a valuable tool for precise communication. It's important to ensure that exceptions are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone but

Uses 'but' instead of 'except for', creating a more concise exclusion.

all except

Replaces 'everybody' with 'all', providing a broader inclusive term.

no one else but

Focuses on the exclusivity of those not included, emphasizing their absence.

excluding

Directly states the act of exclusion, simplifying the sentence structure.

with the exception of

A more formal and explicit way of stating the exclusion.

aside from

Offers a slightly less formal alternative to 'except for'.

apart from

Similar to 'aside from', indicating a deviation from the general inclusion.

save for

A more archaic and literary way to express an exception.

other than

States the difference clearly, highlighting those not included.

excluding solely

Emphasizes that only those specified are excluded and no one else.

FAQs

How can I use "everybody except for" in a sentence?

Use "everybody except for" to indicate that all members of a group are included except for a specific person or group. For example, "Everybody except for John is invited".

What phrases are similar to "everybody except for"?

Similar phrases include "everyone but", "all except", or "with the exception of". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and conciseness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "everyone except for"?

Yes, "everyone except for" is grammatically correct, though "everyone but" might be more concise. Both "everyone" and "everybody" can be used similarly in this context.

What's the difference between "everybody except for" and "nobody except for"?

"Everybody except for" means all members are included excluding specific ones, while "nobody except for" means all members are excluded except specific ones, flipping the inclusion/exclusion relationship. For instance, "nobody except for me knew".