except perhaps that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except perhaps that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a qualification or exception to a previous statement, suggesting that there may be a minor point of disagreement or consideration. Example: "The project was a success, except perhaps that we could have improved our communication with the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Except perhaps that Proust novel," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Except, perhaps, that had they been played consecutively, I could have reached New York myself in the same time).

The Guardian - Film

But it doesn't succeed in telling us anything we don't already know, except perhaps that money and influence are not everything.

The Guardian - Film

I certainly can't think of a better English candidate, except perhaps that guy who's guided Twente to the top of the Eredivisie.

The Guardian - Sport

The Times reported, "There are reasons for believing, however, that in Tehran very little if anything remained to be settled on the question of the second front except perhaps that of coordination of attacks on Germany from the east and west".

The New York Times

It may seem that this common sort of disagreement in law tells us nothing about language, except perhaps that language is of no particular importance in law.

SEP

I don't have any particular axe to grind with either man, except perhaps that unlike Dr. Scott, they seem detached from this crisis.

Huffington Post

There are many men walking around with more than one Y chromosome, only they don't know it because it is rarely associated with a phenotype except perhaps that of being taller than usual.

Biology of Sex Differences

Not sure what that last bit means, except, perhaps that it was not "heavy".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Neither set of results is particularly surprising except, perhaps, that these relationships are clearly evident even in those countries, such as Denmark, France and Sweden, that have invested heavily in reducing the impact of children's family background on their adult outcomes.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

This is a story with few lessons except, perhaps, that this election has made everyone from Clinton to FBI director James Comey to rank-and-file FBI agents look terrible.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except perhaps that" to introduce a nuanced qualification or exception to a general statement, softening the impact of the contradiction.

Common error

Avoid using "except perhaps that" in simple sentences where a direct contradiction or simpler phrasing would be more effective. Choose concise language to avoid sounding verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except perhaps that" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a qualification or exception to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI shows its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in softening potential contradictions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except perhaps that" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to introduce a minor exception or qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in expressing caveats. With a neutral to formal register, it appears most frequently in news and media, but also finds application in scientific and formal writing. While grammatically sound, overuse in simple sentences should be avoided for conciseness. Related phrases include alternatives such as "unless possibly that" and "save maybe that". Ultimately, using "except perhaps that" can add nuance to your writing when introducing exceptions, but remember to avoid overusing in simple sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless possibly that

Replaces "except" with "unless" and "perhaps" with "possibly", slightly altering the nuance of the exception.

save maybe that

Uses "save" instead of "except" and "maybe" in place of "perhaps", creating a more informal tone.

but possibly that

Substitutes "except" with "but" to introduce the exception as a contrast.

however possibly that

Adds "however" to emphasize the contrast, slightly increasing formality.

were it not for that

Presents the exception as a hypothetical condition.

excluding maybe the fact that

Replaces "except" with "excluding", making the exception more explicit.

with the possible exception of

Phrases the exception in a more formal and structured manner.

unless it might be that

Uses a more tentative tone to introduce the exception.

but it could be that

Introduces the exception as a possibility or alternative explanation.

if not for that

Focuses on the conditional nature of the exception.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except perhaps that" for a more formal tone?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "with the possible exception of", "excluding the fact that", or "save for the fact that". These alternatives provide a more structured and refined way to introduce an exception.

What are some informal alternatives to "except perhaps that"?

Informal alternatives include "unless maybe that", "save maybe that", or simply "but maybe". These options are suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing contexts.

Is there a difference in meaning between "except perhaps that" and "except that"?

"Except that" introduces a direct exception, while "except perhaps that" introduces a more tentative or uncertain exception. The addition of "perhaps" softens the statement, suggesting that the exception may not always apply or be significant.

How to use "except perhaps that" in a sentence?

Use "except perhaps that" to introduce a qualification or minor disagreement. For example, "The project was successful, "except perhaps that" we could have improved our communication with the client."