except one time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except one time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred on all occasions except for a specific instance. Example: "I usually go for a run every morning, except one time when it rained heavily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Except one time, on a May night, through the open window, warm liquid breezes poured over our naked bodies, and then he touched me just so and I tipped into the orgasm and was grasped.

The New York Times

Pressed on the subject, Fassel finally said: "I never questioned, except one time, that he could do it".

The New York Times - Sports

She always wore boots, except one time, the time she broke her ankle.

The New York Times - Health

She never did nothin in the kitchen except one time she cooked a whole pot a Minute rice, caught a trout in the stock pond, and cut off a piece a that raw trout and laid it on the rice and ate it.

The New Yorker

Forbidden to ride as a child (her mother equated it with other "sensual" pleasures), De Beauvoir learned in occupied Paris using the bike of her lover, Nathalie Sorokine: "I really handled it with ease, except one time I crashed into a dog and another time I collided with two women, and I was very happy".

The Guardian - Books

Except one time when he closed his eyes, he never opened them again his dead body was found, slumped in front of the screen, by a member of the café's staff.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Usually I understood nothing that was said on the radio, except for one time when the host told a joke that Sergei and Volodya both laughed at.

The New Yorker

Relevant characteristics of the other PD evaluations are summarized in Table 3. Overall, it is readily apparent that ST zolpidem at the 1mg dose has no measurable effect on any parameter (except at one time point measuring the number of errors in CRT), whereas ST zolpidem 3.5 mg impacts all outcome measures, albeit for different time periods.

Human Psychopharmacology

I always found Foursquare silly and never used it except that one time I frantically signed up on my phone at 9 58 p.m. when I was informed I could get free admission to a dance club if I checked-in before 10 p.m. Foursquare is an interesting company right now.

MIT Technology Review

It's gun metal grey, and has a top that he hasn't dropped this year except for one time in February when he decided to put on a mink and roll around in the freezing cold.

Vice

I never knew much about him except that one time he stuck it to a friend of mine on my parent's couch.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except one time" to introduce a specific, contrasting instance to a general pattern or habit. It adds clarity by pinpointing when the usual did not apply.

Common error

Avoid using "except one time" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "on one occasion" or restructuring your sentences to maintain readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except one time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying a circumstance or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct in written English. It sets up an exception to a general statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "except one time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce an exception to a general statement or pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It functions to provide a specific contrast, adding precision and clarity to your writing. While common, it's best to avoid overuse and vary your language to maintain readability. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one occasion

Emphasizes a specific instance or event when something happened differently.

once

A shorter and more direct way of saying "except one time", indicating a single instance.

on a single occasion

Highlights the uniqueness and infrequency of the event.

one time only

Stresses that the event happened only a single time, and not repeatedly.

in one instance

Similar to "on one occasion" but can emphasize a specific example.

save for one instance

More formal way of saying "except one time", often used in written contexts.

with one exception

Focuses on the exception rather than the single occurrence.

excluding one occasion

Clearly indicates that a particular event is not included in the general pattern.

apart from one instance

Similar to "except one time" but might imply a slightly greater deviation.

barring one occurrence

A more formal and less frequent way of expressing a single exception.

FAQs

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

Use "except one time" to indicate a single instance that deviates from a general pattern. For example: "I always drink coffee in the morning, "except one time" I had tea instead."

What are some alternatives to "except one time"?

You can use alternatives such as "on one occasion", "once", or "in one instance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "except for one time"?

While "except for one time" is understandable, ""except one time"" is more concise and commonly used. The former is not grammatically incorrect, but the latter is more idiomatic.

What is the difference between "except one time" and "usually"?

"Usually" indicates a general pattern or habit, while ""except one time"" specifies a single deviation from that pattern. You often use both together to show a contrast: "I usually walk to work, "except one time" I took the bus".