except for the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

"except for the fact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to draw attention to a single factor that distinguishes one situation from another. For example: "Everyone else in the company was able to work from home, except for the fact that I had to come in to the office each day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why not, indeed?except for the fact that he was elbows-out broke.

Forbes

They look like any others, except for the fact that they have hardly any roads.

Los Angeles Times

Except for the fact that he's not faithful.

The New York Times - Arts

Except for the fact that is definitely isn't.

The Guardian

Except for the fact that he is destitute.

The New York Times

Except for the fact that I missed it.

The Guardian

It wouldn't bother me except for the fact that it is a random, consistent noise.

Columbia University

Well, except for the fact that his election is exactly when the movie stops being funny.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That sounds like a perfectly reasonable argument except for the fact that it is insane.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They look the same except for the fact that they have different heights.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We were nothing like the Beatles, except for the fact that we had long hair.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except for the fact", ensure that the clause following it is a complete and clear statement. This maintains the clarity and logical flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid placing unnecessary commas directly before "except for the fact" unless it is part of a parenthetical phrase or clause. Overuse of commas can disrupt the flow and readability of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for the fact" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two parts of a sentence, introducing a qualification or exception to the preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except for the fact" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a qualification or exception to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used across a range of contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While alternatives exist, "except for the fact" provides a clear and direct means of adding nuance and precision to your writing, as it introduces the exception to what has been previously mentioned. As a conclusion is a common and useful way to signal a turn in argumentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from the detail that

Focuses on excluding a specific detail, similar to "except for the fact" but slightly more formal.

aside from the point that

Highlights a specific point that is an exception, mirroring the function of "except for the fact".

with the exception of the detail that

More formal and emphasizes the exclusion of a particular detail.

but for the consideration that

Indicates that something would be the case if not for a specific consideration, similar in meaning but more complex.

save for the circumstance that

More literary and emphasizes a specific circumstance as the exception.

barring the reality that

Emphasizes that the exception is a real or existing condition.

excluding the element that

Highlights the act of excluding a specific element or factor.

notwithstanding the issue that

Acknowledges an issue but proceeds regardless, similar to accepting the "fact" as an exception.

leaving aside the consideration that

Suggests setting aside a particular consideration, which acts as the exception.

but with the caveat that

Introduces a specific warning or condition, functioning as an exception to a general statement.

FAQs

How can I use "except for the fact" in a sentence?

Use "except for the fact" to introduce an element that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement. For example, "The project was successful, "except for the fact" that it ran over budget".

What are some alternatives to "except for the fact"?

You can use alternatives such as "apart from the detail that", "aside from the point that", or "with the exception of the detail that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the exception being made.

Is it grammatically correct to say "except for the fact that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The inclusion of "that" is optional but often included for clarity and flow. Both "except for the fact" and "except for the fact that" are widely accepted and used.

What's the difference between "except for the fact" and "despite the fact"?

"Except for the fact" introduces an element that qualifies a statement, whereas "despite the fact" acknowledges a potentially hindering element but proceeds regardless. They indicate different relationships between the elements in the sentence.