except for a few things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for a few things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all items or aspects are included in a statement, with the exception of a small number of specific items. Example: "The project was successful, except for a few things that need to be addressed in the next phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And that's exactly what happened, except for a few things.

The New Yorker

except for a few things online critics weren't shy about pointing out.

The Washington Post

It all sounds good, except for a few things.

TechCrunch

Threadlife works like pretty much any other social mobile video app, except for a few things: For one, users are limited to capturing three-second clips — which it calls "stitches" — which are "threaded" together based on topics.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Except for a few others like me, there were very few baby-boomers in sight!

HuffPost

But other than that, really, except for maybe a few things over there, the majority the lion's share of the sun's energy makes it down unimpeded to the earth's surface without getting absorbed.

Cornell University

"I asked for a few things.

The New Yorker

For a few things: Positive.

Vice

And a few things for cats.

The New Yorker

"Most of Spain's World Cup-winning squad have won a few things at club level, except for Alvaro Arbeloa," notes Matt Prior (not that one).

The Guardian - Sport

"Most of Spain's World Cup winning squad have won a few things or more at club level, except for Álvaro Arbeloa," notes Matt Prior (not that one).

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for a few things" to acknowledge minor deviations from a general statement, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. It is a useful tool for acknowledging some items that do not follow the general rule.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "except for a few things" without specifying what those things are, as it can make your writing vague and less informative. Be specific, clarify the exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for a few things" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a clause or sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a qualification or exception to a general statement, specifying that not all elements are included.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except for a few things" is a versatile phrase used to introduce minor exceptions to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It functions as an adverbial phrase to modify clauses or sentences. While appropriate across various registers, it's most common in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's advisable to specify the exceptions for clarity. Alternatives like "with a few exceptions" or "apart from some details" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a few exceptions

Highlights the presence of exceptions to a general rule.

with the exception of some

Directly states the existence of exceptions.

apart from some details

Focuses on the details being the exception.

but for a small number of things

A more verbose way of expressing the same sentiment.

save for some items

Emphasizes the exclusion of specific items.

other than a handful of items

Uses 'handful' to denote a small quantity of exceptions.

besides a couple of points

Specifically refers to a limited number of points as exceptions.

excluding some considerations

Emphasizes elements being excluded from overall consideration.

excluding several aspects

Focuses on aspects being excluded.

barring certain elements

Highlights specific elements that do not apply.

FAQs

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

Use "except for a few things" to introduce a minor exception to a general statement. For example, "The presentation was well-received, "except for a few things" that need improvement".

What phrases are similar to "except for a few things"?

Similar phrases include "with a few exceptions", "apart from some details", and "save for some items".

Is it grammatically correct to say "except for a few things"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is a common and accepted way to express that something is generally true with some minor exceptions.

When should I use "except for a few things" instead of "except for everything"?

"Except for a few things" is appropriate when only a small number of items or aspects are excluded, whereas "except for everything" indicates that all items are excluded, which can be grammatically correct depending on the context.