except for all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for all" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to indicate that everything is included except for all instances or examples of something, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The rules apply to everyone, except for all those who have special exemptions."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except for All the Ways They're the Same.

The New York Times

"Except for all the parts that are true".

The New York Times - Arts

Pyron's statement, "There is no such thing as an 'endangered species,' except for all species," is like saying there are no endangered children except for all children.

Yale University

There is no such thing as an "endangered species," except for all species.

The Washington Post

It's back to school again, a real bummer (Except for all you parents, who are hooraying).

The New York Times

Except for all the commercial travel, this is a lot easier".

The New York Times

It was a sweet gig, except for all the secondhand smoke.

The New York Times

The quarterly segmented distributed sensors/actuators can sense/control most of the natural modes, except for all quadruple modes.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

It would have been a great place to hang out except for all the tyrannosaurs," said Sampson.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

b Indeed the inverse of rational IIR systems is also IIR except for all-pole IIR systems.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Last year, his 53 tackles led all other outside linebackers on the team except for All-American Carnell Lake.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except for all", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being universally excluded to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "except for all" in highly formal writing; instead, opt for more precise and elegant alternatives like "excluding all" or "apart from all" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for all" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. As shown in Ludwig, this exception applies universally to the specified group or category.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except for all" serves to introduce a comprehensive exception to a given rule or statement. Although grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests that it may not always be the most elegant choice, especially in formal contexts. Alternatives such as "excluding all" or "apart from all" might offer greater clarity or sophistication. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, science, and academic writing, though maintaining a neutral register. Ludwig confirms that careful consideration of context is key when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding all

This alternative directly replaces "except for" with "excluding", offering a more concise option with similar meaning.

apart from all

Using "apart from" provides a slightly more formal alternative to "except for", indicating an exclusion.

with the exception of all

This is a more verbose and formal version of "except for", suitable for formal contexts.

save for all

"Save for" is a less common but valid alternative, offering a slightly archaic tone.

but not all

This alternative changes the structure to focus on what is included rather than excluded, reversing the perspective.

excluding each of

This alternative emphasizes individual exclusion, slightly changing the focus from a general exclusion.

less all

A concise way to indicate that everything is included apart from something else.

with the exclusion of each

Highlights each exclusion emphasizing individual aspects.

besides all

"Besides" is used to add an exception, making it a viable option to exclude something specific.

not counting all

This explicitly excludes something from a count or consideration, changing the focus of the phrase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except for all" for clarity?

For clarity, consider alternatives such as "excluding all" or "apart from all", which are often more direct and less ambiguous.

Is there a more formal way to say "except for all"?

Yes, a more formal option is "with the exception of all", which is suitable for professional and academic writing.

When is it appropriate to use "except for all"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular condition or rule applies universally, but with a specific exclusion. However, consider if a clearer alternative might serve better.

What's the difference between "except for all" and "except for some"?

"Except for all" indicates a complete exclusion of a specific category, whereas "except for some" implies that only a portion of that category is excluded. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the extent of the exclusion you intend to convey.