except for

USAGE SUMMARY

"except for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a preposition that means "with the exclusion of," "apart from," or "other than." Example: Everyone in the office was sick, except for John.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Except for the freakish exceptions.

The New York Times

Except for mine.

The New York Times

Except for the bride.

The New York Times

Except for Pres.

The New Yorker

Except for Stevan Ridley.

Independent

Except for a bank.

The New Yorker

Except for one.

The New York Times

Except for crowds.

The New York Times - Travel

"Except for this one".

The New York Times

Except for once.

The New York Times - Sports

Except for Zinkoff.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the exclusion, you can place "except for" at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the specific exception.

Common error

Avoid placing "except for" in a way that it modifies the wrong element in the sentence. Ensure the exception logically applies to what you intend to exclude. For example, avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what the exception refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing an exception to a general statement. It specifies what or whom is excluded from the broader category. Ludwig examples show how it modifies the main clause by providing a specific exclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except for" is a very common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce an exception to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's versatile and appropriate for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. Alternatives include "apart from" and "with the exception of". When using "except for", ensure the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from

This phrase is a direct synonym, indicating something is excluded from a general statement.

with the exception of

A more formal way to express the same concept of excluding something.

excluding

A concise way to indicate that something is not included.

save for

A slightly more archaic or literary way to say "except for".

barring

Implies preventing something, but can also mean 'except for'.

but for

Highlights the impact of the exception on the outcome.

other than

A general way to specify something different or excluded.

aside from

Similar to 'apart from', indicating something is separate.

with the omission of

Focuses on the act of leaving something out.

not including

Clearly states that something is not part of the group or category.

FAQs

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

Use "except for" to indicate an exclusion or exception to a general statement. For example, "Everyone enjoyed the party "except for" John, who had to leave early."

What are some alternatives to "except for"?

You can use alternatives like "apart from", "with the exception of", or "excluding" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "except for" and "except"?

"Except" can function as a verb or a conjunction, while "except for" is a prepositional phrase. "Except for" introduces a noun or pronoun, while "except" can introduce a clause.

When is it appropriate to use "except for" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in most contexts. While it is not overly formal, it is grammatically correct and clear, making it suitable for professional writing, news articles, and academic papers. However, for a more formal tone, consider "with the exception of".