except for holidays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for holidays" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not apply during holidays or to specify exceptions to a general rule. Example: "The office is open every day except for holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The family never came back except for holidays.

The Guardian - Books

The shuttle runs on the same schedule year round, except for holidays.

Columbia University

has closed the grandstand at Aqueduct Mondays through Fridays, except for holidays until the weather is warmer.

The New Yorker

Her mother makes Latin food except for holidays, when she makes Polish dishes, like fruit-stuffed chremslach for Passover.

The New York Times - Food

Amazon Books will be open every day of the week except for holidays and can be found in the city's University Village.

Independent

Turner Mountain (right) in northwest Montana can be rented privately once a week, for $3,000, on Mondays through Thursdays (except for holidays).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Columbia University Record is published weekly, except for holiday and vacation periods, by the Office of Public Affairs.

Columbia University

The Columbia University Record is published weekly by the Office of Public Information except for holiday and vacation periods.

Columbia University

Except for holiday weekends, the park says, reservations usually aren't necessary.

The New York Times - Travel

The apartments, with modern furniture and amenities but the original stone floors and wooden beams, rent for $510 to $1,150 a week from September to December (except for holiday weeks).

The New York Times

It is good through Dec. 19, and April 6 through closing, and Monday through Friday through the season, except for holiday periods.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except for holidays", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a "holiday". Consider specifying which holidays are excluded for clarity, especially in formal documents or official communications.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining which days are considered "holidays". A vague definition can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Be specific such as mentioning if you are including public holidays or not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for holidays" functions as a prepositional phrase that specifies an exception to a general statement or rule. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "except for holidays" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate exceptions to a general rule or schedule. According to Ludwig, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. For clarity, it's advisable to specify which holidays are being excluded. Alternatives include "excluding holidays" and "with the exception of holidays", which can add formality. Remember to clearly define the scope of "holidays" to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding holidays

Replaces "except for" with "excluding", offering a more concise way to indicate an omission.

holiday periods excepted

Inverts the phrase structure for a slightly more formal tone.

with the exception of holidays

Adds formality by using "with the exception of" instead of "except for".

apart from holidays

Uses "apart from" as a substitute for "except for", offering a slightly different nuance.

barring holidays

Replaces "except for" with "barring", creating a more emphatic exclusion.

save for holidays

Substitutes "except for" with "save for", resulting in a somewhat archaic tone.

holidays notwithstanding

Presents a more formal and concise exclusion of holidays.

holidays aside

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the same exclusionary meaning.

excluding observed holidays

Specifies that the exclusion applies to officially recognized holidays.

not including holidays

Directly states the omission of holidays from consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "except for holidays" to specify exceptions to a general rule or schedule. For example: "The office is open every day "except for holidays"".

What's a more formal alternative to "except for holidays"?

A more formal alternative is "with the exception of holidays", which adds a layer of formality to your writing.

Is it necessary to specify which holidays are excluded when using "except for holidays"?

Specifying the holidays is often helpful for clarity. Instead of just saying ""except for holidays"", you could say "except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day".

What's the difference between "except for holidays" and "excluding holidays"?

The phrases ""except for holidays"" and "excluding holidays" are largely interchangeable. "Excluding holidays" is slightly more concise.