except that it begins

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except that it begins" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a contrast or exception regarding the beginning of something, often in a discussion or explanation. Example: "The story follows a familiar pattern, except that it begins with an unexpected twist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The service was a perfect tribute to Christopher in every way - except perhaps that it began and ended on time.

BBC

Except, that isn't how it begins: Arkham Knight's opening prologue, explaining how and why the city of Gotham managed to evacuate the best part of its 6.3 million inhabitants in a single day, puts the player in first-person control of one Officer Owens, just an ordinary cop at the end of an ordinary day, going about his business in an entirely ordinary way.

Vice

Nothing really changes when there's drama with Wickham, except that Lydia begins overusing the sad-pineapple emoji sticker.

The New Yorker

Except that Manning began throwing away from Revis.

The New York Times - Magazine

I would recommend that you go see the charismatic Ms. Rosenthal, a self-described "stay-at-home Mom" of 45, except that her run ended the night it began.

The New York Times

Nothing much else happens except that she begins to cry and the children discover their power to cheer her by begging for more animals, but somehow Latiolais brings this briefest of tales to an ending that made me cry.

The New York Times - Books

Except that maybe it wasn't quite.

The New York Times

(Except that time, it was shorts).

Huffington Post

In the end you're left wondering why the men had to be homeless to begin with, except that it gave two actors a chance to play at being derelicts.

The New York Times

Neda Agha-Soltan became the face of the Iranian protest movement - except that it was not her face to begin with, but the face of university teacher Neda Soltani.

BBC

Except that doesn't really begin to distinguish her from dozens of other professors in dozens of other business schools - not least because her special talent is for the precise opposite.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except that it begins" to introduce a specific deviation or contrast concerning the commencement of an event, argument, or narrative. This emphasizes that the exception lies in the initial phase, not necessarily the entirety of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "except that it begins" when the exception applies to the whole situation, not just the beginning. Ensure the contrast is genuinely about the starting point and not a general attribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except that it begins" functions as a conjunctive phrase, introducing a qualification or exception specifically concerning the commencement of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except that it begins" serves as a conjunctive phrase to introduce a contrast, limitation, or deviation concerning the initial phase of an event or argument. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's crucial to ensure that the exception genuinely relates to the starting point, and not the entirety of the subject. Common alternatives include "but it starts" or "with the exception of its beginning". While versatile, it finds common ground in formal contexts where precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exception of its beginning

Directly states the beginning as the exception.

apart from its start

Similar to 'with the exception of', but more concise.

but it starts

A more direct way of introducing a contrasting starting point.

however it commences

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the manner of commencement.

excluding the commencement

Highlights the exclusion of the beginning from a general statement.

yet its inception

Focuses on the initial stage with a contrasting element.

although its commencement

Highlights a contrast despite the beginning.

notwithstanding its initial phase

A formal way of acknowledging the beginning while introducing a contrast.

save that its starting point

Emphasizes an exception regarding the initial phase.

besides its initiation

Indicates an additional aspect apart from the start.

FAQs

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

Use "except that it begins" to introduce a contrast related specifically to how something starts. For example, 'The plan was well-structured, "except that it begins" with an unrealistic assumption'.

What can I say instead of "except that it begins"?

You can use alternatives like "but it starts", "with the exception of its beginning", or "apart from its start" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "except that it begins"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that the exception or contrast is specifically related to the initial phase or commencement of something, rather than its entirety.

What's the difference between "except that it begins" and "except that it is"?

"Except that it begins" focuses on the starting point, while "except that it is" introduces a general exception or contradiction. The former is about initiation, the latter is about existence or a state of being.