except for a slight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for a slight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an exception or a minor detail that differs from the main statement or situation being discussed. Example: "The project was successful, except for a slight delay in the final phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Except for a slight midriff expansion, his body is still lean, his face unlined.

The New York Times - Sports

The narratives conduct themselves like realistic stories, except for a slight lack of conviction and a general B-movie atmosphere.

The New Yorker

Combinations of the antioxidants had no effect either, except for a slight reduction in stroke among those taking both vitamins C and E together.

The New York Times - Health

There are pants that are regular except for a slight shortening of the leg, the better to prove that the no-sock look is over.

The New York Times - Style

He is leaner these days, except for a slight paunch, and his leanness makes his prominent Italian nose look bigger than it did years ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

Likewise, total employment is projected to increase in every region except for a slight decrease in those same fossil fuel heavy southern states.

The Guardian

Except, says one, for a slight taste of leather; no, says the other, it's perfect, except for a slight taint of iron.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I thought except for a slight mistake in the first half — in the first minute of the game — I think it could have been another story," Nigeria Coach Effiom Ntiero said.

The New York Times - Sports

While their different surnames might suggest that they're are unrelated, Thompson and Thomson appear identical (except for a slight difference in moustache style) and were based on Hergé's father and uncle, identical twins.

The Guardian

It then turns northwest to form the Mali Senegal border for the rest of its course to the Sénégal River, except for a slight detour across a corner of western Senegal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Except for a slight hypercalcemia no adverse events were observed.

Hepatology Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for a slight" to introduce a minor deviation from a general statement, maintaining clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "except for a slight" in close succession, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "aside from a minor" or "save for a small" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for a slight" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception or qualification to a statement. As Ludwig examples show, it indicates that while the general statement holds true, there is a minor deviation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except for a slight" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce minor exceptions or qualifications to general statements. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is very common in both scientific and journalistic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's perfectly correct and usable in written English. While maintaining clarity, it's advisable to vary your language using alternatives like "aside from a minor" or "save for a small" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barring a minor

This alternative focuses on excluding a small detail.

save for a small

This option highlights what remains after a slight exception.

aside from a minimal

This phrase emphasizes the insignificance of the exception.

but for a trivial

This alternative underscores the unimportance of the exception.

excluding a marginal

This option explicitly removes a small part from consideration.

with the exception of a subtle

This version clearly states that there's a minor exception.

apart from a negligible

This highlights that the exception is so small it can be ignored.

other than an insignificant

This emphasizes the lack of importance of the differing detail.

outside of a minute

This option notes that a tiny detail is not included.

notwithstanding a minimal

A more formal way to say that a small exception does not invalidate the whole.

FAQs

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

Use "except for a slight" to introduce a minor difference or exception to a general statement. For example, "The project was a success, "except for a slight" delay in the final phase."

What phrases are similar to "except for a slight"?

Similar phrases include "aside from a minor", "save for a small", or "but for a trivial", depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the exception.

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

Yes, "except for a slight" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly and concisely indicates a minor exception without being overly colloquial.

What's the difference between "except for a slight" and "except for a significant"?

"Except for a slight" indicates a small or minor exception, while "except for a significant" points to a more substantial or important exception. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you're describing.