except perhaps for

USAGE SUMMARY

"except perhaps for" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are making an exception to a general statement or idea. For example, "Everyone loves a good pizza, except perhaps for those who prefer other types of cuisine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Except perhaps for Ferraris).

The New York Times - Sports

Except, perhaps, for Progressive's rivals.

The New York Times - Magazine

Except, perhaps, for Alan Greenspan.

The New York Times - Books

Except, perhaps, for Trump and Sanders.

The Guardian

Except, perhaps, for some huffing and puffing.

The New York Times

Few states have completely failed, except perhaps for Somalia.

The Economist

Well, not much, except perhaps for the actual writing.

The New York Times - Books

Except perhaps for Mr. Gupton and his pretzel.

The New York Times

Except, perhaps, for buying shares during market dips.

The New York Times

Except, perhaps, for the species-wide homogeneity of humans.

The New York Times

Condensed meteoric dust is scarce, except perhaps for nanometer size Fe-oxides or Fe-oxyhydroxide.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except perhaps for" to introduce a minor exception to a general statement. It softens the exception and acknowledges the possibility it might not always apply.

Common error

Avoid using "except perhaps for" too frequently in close succession, as it can dilute the impact of your statements and make your writing seem hesitant or uncertain. Opt for a more direct exception when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except perhaps for" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement by introducing a qualification or exception. It indicates that what is being said is generally true, but there might be a specific instance or category for which it does not hold. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except perhaps for" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce a softened exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most common in news and media, science, and academic writing, fulfilling the purpose of acknowledging potential deviations without being overly assertive. When writing, consider using it to add nuance and politeness. Alternatives include phrases like "with the exception of" or "apart from", offering varying degrees of formality. Be mindful of overuse to maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

other than

States something is different or not included.

aside from

Very similar to "apart from", indicating an exception.

with the exception of

More formal and direct, emphasizing the exclusion.

apart from

Indicates something is not included or is an exception.

excluding

Focuses on the act of leaving something out.

with the exclusion of

Emphasizes the act of excluding something specifically.

save for

Slightly archaic but conveys a similar meaning of exception.

barring

Similar to "excluding" but can imply a condition.

but for

Highlights the impact of the exception.

if not for

Highlights the importance of the exception in preventing a different outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "except perhaps for" to introduce a minor exception to a general statement, acknowledging that it might not always apply. For example: "All the students passed the exam, "except perhaps for" those who didn't attend the review sessions."

What are some alternatives to saying "except perhaps for"?

You can use alternatives like "with the exception of", "apart from", or "other than" to express an exception, depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

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

"Except for" introduces a direct exception, while "except perhaps for" softens the exception, suggesting it might not always be the case or that it's a minor point. The latter adds a degree of uncertainty or politeness.

When is it appropriate to use "except perhaps for" instead of a more direct exception?

Use "except perhaps for" when you want to be cautious or acknowledge that the exception might not apply in all situations, or when you want to soften the impact of the exception, making it less absolute.