except one man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except one man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all members of a group are included in a statement or action, with the exception of a single individual. Example: "Everyone was invited to the party, except one man who had prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Obama's on board, Xi Jinping's on board, everyone's on board except one man," activist Pat Norman, 28, bellowed into a megaphone on the Sydney beach.

Huffington Post

"Obama's on board, Xi Jinping's on board, everyone's on board except one man," activist Pat Norman, 28, said into a megaphone, according to Reuters. .

Vice

Or the one where a virus turns everyone on earth (except one man) into flesh-eating monsters.

Huffington Post

No one opposed them or tried to defend the emperor, except one man, and he was the only one, among all the thousands there on whom the sun looked down, who was worthy of the Roman empire.

University of Chicago

All did except one man in a hurry.

The New Yorker

Everyone had a glorious day except one man who lived in Frys Springs and had gone to Washington early in the morning to join the excursion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

PAGE A14 NEW YORK AIRPORTS REOPEN -- As the three major airports handled a limited number of flights, the authorities said they had released a number of men detained on Thursday at Kennedy and La Guardia, except for one man who was arrested at Kennedy with a false pilot's identification.

The New York Times

Given the chance to live in freedom on the island, most chose to do so — except for one man who opted to go back to the United States and slavery.

The Washington Post

Nobody except for one man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Well, nobody except perhaps one man – the head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi.

The Guardian - Opinion

They had all been shot from behind, except for one man.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except one man" to clearly and concisely indicate a single exception within a larger group, ensuring the context makes it clear who the "man" is. For example, "All the villagers evacuated, except one man who refused to leave his home."

Common error

Avoid using "except one man" when the excluded individual is not clearly defined or identifiable within the context. Be sure the reader understands who the "one man" refers to; otherwise, the phrase loses its clarity and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except one man" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates an exception to a general statement, specifying a single male individual who does not fit the described condition or action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "except one man" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to denote a singular male exception from a larger group. Ludwig highlights its use in various contexts, particularly within news and media, science, and academia. Although not exceedingly common, its purpose is clear: to precisely specify an exclusion. When writing, ensure that the referent of "one man" is clearly defined for your audience. Alternatives such as "all but one person" or "everyone except one individual" can offer stylistic variations. In summary, "except one man" provides a direct and effective way to indicate a single male's deviation from a general rule or situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all but one person

Replaces 'man' with the more general 'person', slightly broadening the context.

everyone except for one individual

More formal and emphasizes the individual's exclusion.

nobody but one man

Focuses on the lack of others, highlighting the single man.

all except a single man

Emphasizes the singularity of the exception.

with one man as the exception

Explicitly states the exception.

save for one male

Uses 'male' instead of 'man', adding a slightly clinical tone.

excluding one gentleman

More polite and formal, using 'gentleman' instead of 'man'.

but for one man

More literary and can imply a conditional situation.

one man notwithstanding

Formal and somewhat archaic.

apart from a lone man

Emphasizes the solitude of the remaining man.

FAQs

How can I use "except one man" in a sentence?

Use "except one man" to specify a single male individual as an exception to a general statement. For instance, "Everyone enjoyed the concert, "except one man" who complained about the noise."

What are some alternatives to "except one man"?

Consider alternatives such as "all but one person", "everyone but one man", or "with the exception of one individual" depending on the level of formality and the desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "except one man"?

Yes, "except one man" is grammatically correct. It serves as a prepositional phrase that indicates an exception to a general statement about a group.

What's the difference between "except one man" and "besides one man"?

"Except one man" indicates exclusion, meaning all others are included but that specific man is not. "Besides one man" can imply inclusion, meaning that man is included in addition to others. The intended meaning depends heavily on the context.