except on weekends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except on weekends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations when you want to impose a restriction that does not apply at the weekends. For example, "I usually get up at 6am every morning except on weekends when I like to have a lie-in."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

All patients in this study were treated with ten consecutive daily treatments )except on weekends_.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

"We don't see Dad except on weekends," one of his daughters said.

The Guardian

Except on weekends.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We don't see Dad except on weekends," she says.

The Guardian

She has often referred to herself as a "single parent," except on weekends.

The New Yorker

Our young, competent waitress explained that it is not always available except on weekends.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Hors d'oeuvres are not necessary at lunchtime, except on weekend lunches when time is not of the essence, but freshly-made iced tea, bubbly water and wine are definitely on the menu.

Huffington Post

Problem solved -- except that on weekends, the W does not stop at 34th Street.

The New York Times

Bogotá, Colombia, for example, has ciclovías, when the main streets are closed to all traffic except cyclists on weekends.

The New York Times

The South End Open Market (540 Harrison Avenue; www.southendopenmarket.com; 617-481-2257) takeveryace every Sunday through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on holiday weekends, like this one).

The New York Times - Travel

10) Market Research The South End Open Market (540 Harrison Avenue; www.southendopenmarket.com; 617-481-2257) takeveryace every Sunday through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on holiday weekends, like this one).

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When establishing rules or schedules, clearly state exceptions using "except on weekends" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "except on weekends" if the exception applies to only one day of the weekend. Instead, specify "except on Saturday" or "except on Sunday" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except on weekends" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase, that modifies a verb or clause by indicating when something does not occur or apply. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammar, as shown in several examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "except on weekends" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify exceptions to rules or schedules, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating when a statement does not apply. Common across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing, it helps avoid ambiguity. For formal contexts, phrases like "with the exception of weekends" can be preferred, while shorter alternatives like "excluding weekends" are apt for informal use. Remember to be specific, indicating "except on Saturday" or "except on Sunday" for single-day exceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exception of weekends

This is a more formal and lengthy way of expressing the same idea.

excluding weekends

This alternative is more concise and uses a gerund phrase instead of a prepositional phrase.

not on weekends

This alternative is a simple negation, removing the word "except" for directness.

but not on weekends

This alternative uses a conjunction to introduce the exception.

weekdays only

This specifies the active period rather than the exception.

outside of weekends

This alternative uses "outside of" to indicate the period when the rule applies.

apart from weekends

This uses "apart from" to indicate exclusion of weekends.

excluding Saturday and Sunday

This alternative explicitly lists the days of the weekend.

on weekdays

This alternative focuses on the days when the rule applies, rather than the exception.

sans weekends

A more concise and informal way of expressing the exception.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except on weekends" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "with the exception of weekends" or "excluding Saturdays and Sundays".

What's a concise way to say "except on weekends"?

Briefer options include "excluding weekends" or "weekdays only", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify both Saturday and Sunday when using "except on weekends"?

Yes, "except on weekends" implies both Saturday and Sunday. If the exception applies to only one day, specify "except on Saturday" or "except on Sunday".

How does "except on weekends" differ from "during the week"?

"Except on weekends" indicates an exclusion from a general rule. "During the week" specifies when a rule applies, focusing on weekdays, not on excluding weekends.