except for a few strands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for a few strands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally true or applicable, with the exception of a small number of items or instances. Example: "The fabric was mostly intact, except for a few strands that had frayed at the edges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His hair is gone except for a few strands which are combed across his scalp.

The New Yorker

The epithelium on both aspects of the cyst was single-layered except for a few strands of meningothelial appearance on the subdural side.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The airport was almost completely empty, except for a few stranded travelers.

Vice

For others, a few strands worn as a belt accented small waistlines.

The New York Times - Style

The spaghetti has been flung at the wall for years and only a few strands have stuck.

Huffington Post

Pull down a few strands for a flyaway, bohemian look.

WikiHow

Twist your hair in a bun, and pull a few strands for a laid back look.

WikiHow

Have a few strands out for the fringe.

WikiHow

Or, if you already have the guide RNA, the platform can double check it for accuracy — and then you can order a few strands right there.

TechCrunch

There are quite a few strands to kayaking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

BC: I've got a few strands and notions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except for a few strands", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'strands' are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "except for a few strands" when the exceptions significantly alter the overall meaning. If the exceptions are substantial, consider rephrasing to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for a few strands" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable, indicating that something is generally true while acknowledging minor deviations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except for a few strands" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to qualify general statements by acknowledging minor exceptions. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining what the 'strands' represent and considering alternative expressions like "aside from a couple of strands" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aside from a couple of strands

Replaces "few" with "couple", slightly altering the quantity of exceptions.

barring a few strands

Uses "barring" as a more concise substitute for "except for".

apart from several strands

Substitutes "few" with "several", suggesting a slightly larger number of exceptions.

save for some strands

Uses "save for" as a replacement for "except for", maintaining a formal tone.

excluding a handful of strands

Employs "excluding" and "handful" to emphasize the limited number of exceptions.

with the exception of some strands

Offers a more formal and explicit way to express the exception.

but for a small number of strands

Rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the small quantity.

besides a sparse quantity of strands

Emphasizes the minimal amount of exceptions using "sparse quantity".

minus a trifle of strands

Uses "minus" and "trifle" to downplay the significance of the exceptions.

not counting a couple of strands

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a participial phrase.

FAQs

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

Use "except for a few strands" to indicate that something is generally true, with only a small number of exceptions. For example, "The report was entirely accurate, "except for a few strands" of outdated data".

What's a more formal way to say "except for a few strands"?

A more formal alternative is "with the exception of a few strands". This phrase adds a level of formality suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is "except for a few strands" interchangeable with "besides a few strands"?

"Except for a few strands" and "besides a few strands" are largely interchangeable, but "besides" can sometimes imply an addition rather than an exception. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

What's the difference between "except for a few strands" and "except for many strands"?

The key difference is the quantity of exceptions. "Except for a few strands" indicates a small number of exceptions, while "except for many strands" suggests a larger, more significant number of exceptions that may undermine the general statement.