except for the end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for the end" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that everything is included in a statement or situation, with the exception of the final part or conclusion. Example: "The project was successful, except for the end, which did not meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

All in all, this was a smooth Monday solve, except for the end, where I was briefly flummoxed by EULOGIA.

The New York Times

This made for a rather noneventful event, except for the end, when two female Reid supporters and a male Angle fan got into a fistfight.

The New York Times

Of course, the circumstances are different, but the modern volunteer Army, which draws heavily on young people who need jobs, makes the history of the 10th Mountain Division sound like a fairy tale, except for the end.

The New York Times - Books

"The umbrella guard was pristine except for the end, where it had punctures and scratches that were very much what we would expect from a cat who had bitten it," Dr. Reisman said.

The New York Times

In this case, the pipe wall between pipes in the assembly becomes adiabatic, except for the end pipe that are at different temperatures.

Geothermal Energy

The review eventually says "Except for the end ... where it is too much to bear".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was a good story, except for the ending.

The New Yorker

(b) Everyone says that they really liked this week's book except for the ending.

The New Yorker

I don't think the killing's going to come back, but you can never be sure … But except for the ending of the war, the promise of Dayton has proven to be illusionary," Sacirbey says.

The Guardian

So when spurred by word of mouth to join the stampede to see the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," I found -- except for the ending foretold in the title -- I shared a vein of experiences with the main character, the daughter of immigrants, played by the screenplay's author, Nia Vardalos.

The New York Times

Except for the ending, the plots of Liliom and Carousel are very similar.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for the end" to clearly delineate a specific part or aspect that is not included in a general statement or assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "except for the end" when comparing two items; instead, focus on specific differing attributes throughout, rather than only at the conclusion. For example, instead of saying 'Both reports are similar except for the end', specify the discrepancies directly such as 'While both reports analyze Q1 performance, one emphasizes revenue growth, and the other focuses on cost reduction strategies'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for the end" functions as a prepositional phrase that serves to introduce an exception or limitation to a preceding statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is generally true, but the final part is an exception.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except for the end" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that introduces an exception or limitation to a statement. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While its frequency is classified as uncommon, its purpose is clear: to specify a divergence in the final part of a process, event, or narrative. Related alternatives include "apart from the ending" or "excluding the conclusion", which provide similar meanings using different wording. When using the phrase, ensure it clearly delineates the exception you intend to highlight and avoid misusing it in direct comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from the ending

Changes the preposition and noun, focusing specifically on the concluding part.

with the exception of the finale

Replaces "end" with "finale", emphasizing the final event or performance.

excluding the conclusion

Uses a more formal verb, "excluding", to denote the omission of the final segment.

save for the last part

Employs "save for" as a substitute for "except for", highlighting the concluding section.

but not the final segment

Offers a simpler, more direct way of expressing the exclusion of the end.

other than the culmination

Utilizes "culmination" as a synonym for "end", suggesting a high point or climax.

besides the terminal point

Replaces "end" with "terminal point", creating a more technical or precise tone.

excluding the aftermost part

A more technical phrasing highlighting what follows all other parts.

less the tail end

Offers a less formal and shortened variation, focusing on the final portion.

not including the cessation

Substitutes "end" with "cessation", indicating a stopping or termination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except for the end" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "with the exception of the finale", "excluding the conclusion", or "save for the last part". These options offer a similar meaning but carry a more sophisticated nuance.

What does "except for the end" mean in a sentence?

It means that everything mentioned is true or applicable, with the single exception of the final portion or concluding part. It sets aside the end from whatever you are referring to.

When is it appropriate to use "except for the end"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that a statement generally holds true, but there's a notable divergence or exception in the final part or conclusion. For instance, 'The plan worked perfectly, "except for the end", when unexpected costs arose'.

Is there a difference between "except for the ending" and "except for the end"?

While similar, "except for the ending" specifically refers to the concluding part of a narrative or story, while "except for the end" can be used more broadly to refer to the final portion of any process, event, or duration.