everything except for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything except for" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to all things or people except for one specific thing or person. Example: I love all types of music, everything except for heavy metal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everything except for the house-sized baby.

The New Yorker

Everything, except for a few of the short stories.

The New York Times - Books

Forgotten, basically, is everything except for the nastiness.

The Guardian - Tech

Everything, except for the alcoholic beverages, can be packed to go.

The New York Times - Food

"I'm being blamed for everything, except for the Punic Wars," was his typically sardonic comment.

Independent

Angela and David: united in everything, except for the issues that really matter.

The Guardian

"I've done everything except for detailed mechanics on the rides," she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Depp's nonlove of chocolate covers everything "except for cheap chocolate," he said.

The New York Times

/ The highway leads to everything except for what they buried underneath it.

The New Yorker

In fact, one could argue that we understand everything except for the physical world of falling objects by analogy.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You're rewarded for doing pretty much everything except for truly screwing up.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "everything except for", ensure that the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "everything except for" excessively in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "with the exception of" or "excluding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything except for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a preceding noun or pronoun. It serves to specify an exclusion from a general statement. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything except for" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that functions to specify an exclusion from a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While suitable for most contexts, including news and general writing, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Common usage is observed across various sources, notably in News & Media and Wiki content. Remember to use it accurately, clearly defining the exception to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything but

Replaces "except for" with "but", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

everything excluding

Replaces "except for" with the participle "excluding", making the phrase slightly more direct.

everything with the exception of

Replaces "except for" with "with the exception of", adding a touch of formality.

all except

A shorter variation that omits "everything" and "for" while maintaining a similar meaning.

everything save for

Uses "save for", which is a more archaic or literary way of saying "except for".

all else aside from

Replaces "everything" with "all else" and "except for" with "aside from", providing a more conversational tone.

all things considered apart from

Adds a formal tone by using "all things considered" and "apart from" instead of "everything" and "except for".

each and every thing, not including

Expands "everything" into "each and every thing" and uses "not including" for a clearer exclusion.

all areas considered, with the exclusion of

Presents a formal version, suitable for business or legal writing.

nothing but

Transforms the meaning to focus solely on what is included rather than what is excluded, creating an opposite perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "everything except for" to indicate that all items or aspects are included in a statement, except for a specific exclusion. For example, "I enjoy all sports, "everything except for" golf".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "everything but", "with the exception of", or "excluding", depending on the desired level of formality.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Everything" functions as a pronoun, "except" is a preposition indicating an exclusion, and "for" completes the prepositional phrase.

What's the difference between "everything except for" and "all but"?

"Everything except for" is generally used for a more explicit and comprehensive exclusion, while "all but" can sometimes imply 'nearly' or 'almost'. "Everything except for" clearly defines what is not included, whereas "all but" can be slightly ambiguous depending on context.