except for when

USAGE SUMMARY

"except for when" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize an exception to a general rule. For example: "I usually eat breakfast at home, except for when I'm traveling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except for when he's invisible.

The New York Times

Except for when we weren't".

The New York Times - Books

Except for when I'm drinking; then it's Uber".

The New Yorker

"Except for when it's warm out, that's my only trigger".

The New York Times

"I rarely exercise except for when I'm here," she said.

The New York Times

He was relaxed, easygoing, except for when he played basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

America loves to talk about its democracy – except for when we don't like its outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Except for when Lev leaned over and whispered, "I'm so attracted to you, it's killing me".

The New York Times

(Except for when the group downshifts to mellowness, as they do on the album's title track).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That is not necessarily a bad thing except for when my Android crashes (which is a lot).

TechCrunch

This is all surely a pinnacle of human technological achievement except for when it all goes to shit.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for when" to introduce a specific timeframe or circumstance that is an exception to a general statement. This clarifies the boundaries of your statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stringing multiple clauses together using "except for when". If you find yourself using it repeatedly in a single paragraph, consider rephrasing the sentence for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except for when" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a temporal or conditional exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except for when" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce exceptions, particularly those related to time or circumstance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts but is most frequently found in news and media sources. While synonyms like "other than when" and "apart from when" exist, "except for when" provides a clear and direct way to specify exceptions. To improve your writing, ensure you don’t overuse this phrase and consider rephrasing complex sentences for better clarity. Finally, note that while starting a sentence with "except for when" is grammatically permissible, integrating it into the main clause can often enhance readability. The authoritative sources demonstrate that mastering this expression can improve communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

other than when

A direct synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

excluding the times when

Replaces "except for" with "excluding", slightly more formal.

apart from when

Employs "apart from" instead of "except for", offering a subtle shift in phrasing.

save for when

Uses "save for" instead of "except for", providing a more literary tone.

with the exception of when

A more formal and verbose alternative, emphasizing the exception.

besides the occasions when

Similar to "except for when" but adds a degree of emphasis on specific occasions.

unless it's when

Uses "unless" to introduce the exception, changing the sentence structure.

outside of when

Indicates something is not included except for a specific time.

but when

A shorter, more direct way to indicate an exception.

excepting when

A slightly archaic form of "except for when", less commonly used in modern English.

FAQs

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

Use "except for when" to introduce an exception related to time or circumstance. For example, "I usually work from home, "except for when" there are team meetings."

What's a good alternative to "except for when"?

Alternatives include "other than when", "apart from when", or "save for when", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is there a difference between "except for when" and "except when"?

While similar, "except for when" typically introduces a more specific and emphasized exception compared to the more general "except when". The inclusion of "for" adds a slight nuance, suggesting a more considered exclusion.

Can I start a sentence with "except for when"?

Starting a sentence with "except for when" is grammatically correct but can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to integrate it into the main clause for smoother reading. For example, instead of "Except for when it rains, we eat outside", try "We usually eat outside, "except for when" it rains".