except that

USAGE SUMMARY

"except that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to introduce an idea that limits or restricts something that has already been stated. For example, "I would do it myself, except that I don't have the necessary tools."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Except that won't happen.

Independent

Except that, improbably, you can.

The New York Times

Except, that is, for swearing.

Independent

Except, that is, for Maude.

The New York Times - Books

Except that, arguably, they did.

Independent

Except, that is, for England.

Independent

Except, that is, for Chanel.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Excepting that ithurts.

The New York Times - Books

Excepting that, he enjoyed performing the action.

Wikipedia

"Except for that situation".

The New York Times - Sports

Except on that day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except that" to introduce a specific limitation or condition to a previous statement. It's most effective when the exception directly challenges or qualifies what was initially presented.

Common error

Avoid using "except that" when a simple conjunction like "but" or "yet" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Opt for simpler alternatives when the contrast is straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except that" functions as a conjunction, specifically to introduce a clause that provides an exception or qualification to a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing it connects contrasting ideas or conditions, often found in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except that" is a versatile conjunction used to introduce exceptions or qualifications to prior statements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. While effective, it’s essential to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives like "but" when appropriate. Using "except that" effectively involves placing it to introduce specific limitations, avoiding overly complex sentence structures, and ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but

Simple conjunction indicating a contrast, less formal than "except that".

however

A more formal adverb indicating a contrast or exception.

yet

A simpler conjunction like 'but', often used to introduce a surprising contrast.

nevertheless

Emphasizes the contrast despite what has been said before.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", but can sometimes imply a weaker contrast.

still

Indicates that something is true despite something else that might prevent it.

even so

Highlights that the subsequent statement is true despite the previous one.

aside from that

Explicitly states that something is being set aside as an exception.

apart from that

Similar to "aside from that", focusing on the exclusion of something.

with the exception of

Formal phrase indicating that something is not included.

FAQs

How can I use "except that" in a sentence?

Use "except that" to introduce a clause that presents an exception or qualification to a previous statement. For example, "I enjoy running, "except that" my knees hurt afterwards."

What are some alternatives to "except that"?

You can use alternatives like "but", "however", or "nevertheless" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "except that"?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with "except that" can sometimes sound informal. It's often better to integrate it within the sentence to maintain a smoother flow.

What is the difference between "except that" and "except for"?

"Except that" introduces a clause providing an exception, whereas "except for" is used with a noun or noun phrase to indicate what is not included. For example, "I liked the movie, "except that" the ending was weak" versus "I liked everything "except for" the ending."