except for a minor point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for a minor point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is only one small issue or exception in an otherwise positive or complete statement. Example: "The report was well-researched and thorough, except for a minor point regarding the data sources used."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may sound like a minor point.

The New York Times

This might seem a minor point.

The New York Times - Books

But this is a minor point.

The New York Times - Books

But it's a minor point.

The New Yorker

A minor point.

TechCrunch

But that's a minor point.

TechCrunch

It is not a minor point.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This is not a minor point.

Huffington Post

There was no insertion or deletion in the M gene of the recent Thai isolates except for minor point mutations.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

HRQoL among cancer-free controls changed little over the 2 years of follow-up except for a minor improvement (+ 2 points maximum in 2 years) in most dimensions.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The juror, Chappell Hartridge, claimed he had never been in court except for a minor traffic violation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except for a minor point", ensure the rest of your statement is strong and clear. This phrase works best when the exception genuinely doesn't undermine the main argument.

Common error

Avoid using "except for a minor point" when the 'minor point' actually has significant implications. This can mislead your audience and weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for a minor point" functions as a qualifier, indicating a slight deviation or exception to a general statement. It serves to acknowledge a detail that does not significantly alter the overall message. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "except for a minor point" is a grammatically correct qualifier that serves to acknowledge a small exception to a general statement. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its frequency is low, suggesting that alternative phrases might be more commonly encountered. When employing this phrase, ensure that the point in question is indeed minor and doesn't undermine the overall message. The phrase is generally suitable for neutral or professional contexts, but more formal options exist for academic writing. Always use this phrase only when the exception genuinely doesn't undermine the main argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save for a small detail

Replaces "except for" with "save for", emphasizing the exception.

but for a trivial detail

Substitutes "except for" with "but for", highlighting the insignificance of the exception.

aside from an insignificant aspect

Uses "aside from" to indicate an exception that's not important.

excluding a slight issue

Employs "excluding" to specify an exception that is minimal.

apart from a negligible factor

Uses "apart from" to introduce a detail that does not significantly alter the main point.

barring a tiny particular

Replaces "except for" with "barring", stressing the limited impact of the exception.

with the exception of a small item

More formal way of expressing a minor exception.

other than a trivial matter

Uses "other than" to denote a very unimportant exception.

but with a small caveat

Employs "but with" and adds the word "caveat", indicating a slight condition.

notwithstanding a minimal element

A more formal alternative, indicating that the main point stands despite a small element.

FAQs

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

You can use "except for a minor point" to acknowledge a small exception or detail that does not significantly alter the main idea of your statement. For example, "The presentation was excellent, "except for a minor point" regarding the budget allocation".

What's a good alternative to "except for a minor point"?

Alternatives include phrases like "save for a small detail", "aside from an insignificant aspect", or "but for a trivial detail", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "except for a minor point" in formal writing?

Yes, "except for a minor point" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when you need to acknowledge a minor issue without detracting from the overall positive assessment. However, using more formal alternatives may be preferable in some contexts.

What's the difference between "except for a minor point" and "except for a major issue"?

"Except for a minor point" indicates that the exception is small and doesn't significantly impact the main idea. In contrast, "except for a major issue" suggests a significant problem that could undermine the entire premise or argument.