except for the sun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except for the sun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an exception to a general statement or situation, specifically excluding the sun from that context. Example: "Everything was dark and gloomy, except for the sun shining brightly in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the supernova would have been far brighter than anything in the sky except for the sun.

The New Yorker

Except for the sun and the occasional thermonuclear blast, Las Vegas is the brightest source of light in our solar system.

The New York Times - Books

They leave the nest immediately or very soon after hatching, except for the sun bittern, seriemas, and bustards, the young of which are cared for at the nest for a short time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Cedeño, playing center this season after playing poorly in left last season, was deluding himself if he thought he was in position to catch the ball except for the sun.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"A dimmer switch for the sun".

The New Yorker

For the sun.

BBC

Yellow is for the sun so bright.

WikiHow

Buy some shorts for the sun.

WikiHow

Since Feed Your Head! Music and Bound to Be Read Books closed, that same intersection hasn't offered much else for when the sun comes up—except for coffee.

Vice

Echidna Gorge in Purnululu National Park At last we're in time for sunset -- except that today the sun turns the rocks ever more incandescently orange; not the slightest splash of fiery red.

Huffington Post

All the studies showed that the EFI was significantly lower in the group lengthened over an intramedullary nail except for the second study by Sun et al. where statistical analysis was not performed.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for the sun" to specifically highlight the sun as the singular exception in a broader context or situation. This emphasizes its unique role or characteristic that sets it apart.

Common error

Avoid using "except for the sun" in situations where the sun's exclusion is irrelevant or nonsensical. Ensure the context naturally calls for the sun to be considered as a potential element before excluding it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for the sun" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct. Examples show it being used to specify something unique about the sun in comparison to other entities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except for the sun" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the sun as an exception to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not very frequent, its usage is clear and consistent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when the sun's exclusion is relevant and makes sense within the context. Alternatives include "besides the sun", "excluding the sun", and "apart from the sun", which can offer slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

besides the sun

This alternative uses a different preposition to indicate exclusion, maintaining a similar level of formality.

apart from the sun

Similar to "besides", this alternative uses different preposition to indicate the exception.

other than the sun

This phrase uses a more general term for 'exception', suitable for various contexts.

excluding the sun

This phrase employs a more direct verb form to convey the act of excluding the sun from a given context.

save for the sun

This alternative offers a slightly more archaic or literary tone while retaining the core meaning of exception.

not including the sun

This is a more explicit way of stating that the sun is not part of what is being considered.

with the exception of the sun

This phrase is a more formal and explicit way to express the same exclusionary concept.

exclusive of the sun

This phrase provides a more formal and technical alternative to "except for".

minus the sun

This option is slightly less formal, suggesting a subtraction or removal of the sun.

without the sun

This alternative changes the focus to the absence of the sun, rather than an exception.

FAQs

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

You can use "except for the sun" to indicate that something is true for everything else but the sun. For example, "The supernova would have been far brighter than anything in the sky "except for the sun"."

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

Some alternatives include "besides the sun", "excluding the sun", or "apart from the sun". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "excepting for the sun"?

While "excepting" can function as a preposition, "except for" is the more common and generally preferred construction. "Excepting for the sun" is less idiomatic and might sound awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "except for the sun" and "with the exception of the sun"?

"Except for the sun" and "with the exception of the sun" are very similar in meaning. The latter is more formal and emphasizes the act of making an exception.