everything save for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything save for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that everything is included except for a specific item or category. Example: "I packed everything save for my laptop, which I needed for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the pinball table designs for their incorporation of Pokémon themes, noting that everything, save for the flippers, has a Pokémon theme.

Wikipedia

Everything, save for block quotes, should be double-spaced.

Columbia University

Everything, save for footnotes and block quotes, should be double-spaced.

Columbia University

And if you adjust for inflation, it's still ahead of everything save for Force Awakens, Last Jedi, The Dark Knight ($393m in 2008/$503m adjusted) The Avengers ($457m in 2012/$517m adjusted) Jurassic World ($500m in 2015/$556m adjusted).

Forbes

Using video games to train those with OCD that risks can be adventure, and that you can't control everything save for how you react, is important.

Vice

But it has one key hang up: a tacit denial of the audience-as-performer's body, or at least ignoring everything save for their head and hands.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So, she left high tea for Hollywood, leaving everything behind, save for her then boyfriend, Swedish music-producer Carl Ryden.

Huffington Post

Everything save, perhaps, loyalty.

HuffPost

Everything was dark, save for a few shots of fuchsia.

The New York Times

Movers recently dropped a box of my sister-in-law's kitchen stuff and everything inside broke, save for her Corelle dishes.

The Washington Post

December brought tiny snowmen shaped from balls of meringue and filled with vanilla ice cream, and "Breakfast for Dinner" yielded a fetching tray of everything you expected — save for the fact the "toast" was poundcake and the "egg" was a dot of pureed papaya in shimmering almond custard.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: While grammatically correct, "everything save for" can sound somewhat formal. In casual conversation, "everything except" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "everything save for" when the exclusion is substantial. The phrase implies that almost all items are included, with only a minor exception. If many things are excluded, use a different construction, such as "only X and Y were included".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything save for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating an exception to an otherwise all-encompassing statement. It specifies what is excluded from a general inclusion. As Ludwig explains, it means that everything is included except for a specific item or category.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "everything save for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that all items or aspects are included except for a specific exclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "everything except", it effectively sets boundaries and provides clarity in communication. It appears most frequently in news and media, making it a versatile tool for nuanced expression. When writing, remember to use it when you want to signal a minor exclusion from a general inclusion and be mindful of the context to adjust formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything except for

Replaces "save for" with "except for", maintaining the same meaning of excluding something from a larger group.

everything other than

Similar to "except for", but slightly more emphatic in excluding the specified item.

all but

A shorter, more concise way to express that everything is included with a specified exception.

everything excluding

A more direct way of stating what is not included.

everything with the exception of

A more formal and explicit way to state the exclusion.

almost everything except

Highlights the near-complete inclusion before the exception is noted.

everything bar

Uses "bar" to indicate an exception, common in British English.

excluding only

Directly states the act of exclusion, emphasizing the limited scope of the exception.

all things considered, except

Introduces a broader perspective before specifying the exception.

everything short of

Implies nearness to a complete inclusion, stopping just before the mentioned item.

FAQs

What does "everything save for" mean?

The phrase "everything save for" means all items or aspects are included except for the one specifically mentioned. It's equivalent to saying "everything except". For example, "I enjoyed "everything save for" the dessert" means I liked everything but the dessert.

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

You can use "everything save for" to indicate that all items or aspects are included with one exception. For instance, "The movie was perfect, "everything save for" the ending" means all parts of the movie were great except the ending.

Which is correct, "everything save for" or "everything except for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Everything except for" is more common in modern English, while "everything save for" might sound slightly more formal or archaic. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "everything save for"?

Alternatives to "everything save for" include "everything except", "all but", and "everything with the exception of". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.