except that it kills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except that it kills" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a condition or exception related to something that has a negative consequence, in this case, causing death. Example: "I love the thrill of skydiving, except that it kills the fear of heights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is the stuff of video games — except that it kills real teenagers of all faiths.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 2008, Marcus Trescothick described to me the worst depths of his depression, when he did not know what was happening to him, except that it might kill him.

Independent

It was 1997 in Charleston, South Carolina and like most people, Elizabeth knew nothing about HIV except that it could kill you.

Huffington Post

Co-sleeping is the best way to get sleep, except that it can kill your baby, so never ever do it.

Huffington Post

But it kills insects that eat it.

The New York Times - Health

That kills it.

Forbes

That kills it for me.

TechCrunch

Except that maybe it wasn't quite.

The New York Times

Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051) PGN was extracted by the same method, except that heat killed B. subtilis (65°C, 1 hour) was used as the starting material.

Plosone

That killed it.

Independent

Except that it wasn't usually eggs that the Christians threw: more like rocks that could injure or kill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except that it kills" to introduce a crucial negative aspect that outweighs any perceived benefits. For example, "The plan seemed perfect, "except that it kills" any chance of long-term sustainability."

Common error

Avoid using "except that it kills" lightly or ironically when discussing serious subjects. Its weight implies genuine and significant harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except that it kills" functions as a conjunction, introducing a critical exception or contrast. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a condition related to something with a negative consequence—specifically, death. It serves to highlight a significant and potentially fatal drawback.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except that it kills" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a critical, often life-threatening, exception. As noted by Ludwig AI, it highlights a potentially deadly drawback. Although rare, its impact is considerable, making it suitable for neutral contexts where emphasizing danger is key. Consider less dramatic alternatives in formal settings, and always be mindful of the seriousness the phrase conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except it is deadly

Focuses specifically on the fatal aspect.

but it has fatal consequences

Highlights the consequence of being deadly.

except for the fact that it can be deadly

More elaborate way to express the condition with the added 'deadly' factor.

although it is lethal

Emphasizes the lethal nature as a contrasting point.

however it results in death

Highlights the "death" outcome.

aside from its mortality risk

Shifts the focus onto the "mortality risk".

save that it brings about destruction

More dramatic, it uses "destruction".

barring its capacity to eliminate

Introduces "eliminate" as a potential outcome.

but it entails a risk of fatality

Focuses on the risk factor

notwithstanding its destructive potential

Uses "destructive potential" to introduce a possibility.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except that it kills" to sound less dramatic?

Consider using alternatives like "but it has fatal consequences", or "however it results in death" for a less intense tone depending on the context.

Is "except that it kills" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "except that it kills" might sound too strong for some formal contexts. Alternatives like "however it results in death" or "aside from its mortality risk" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "except that it kills" and "except that it harms"?

"Except that it kills" indicates a fatal outcome, whereas "except that it harms" implies damage or injury that isn't necessarily fatal. The former is significantly more severe.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "except that it kills"?

Use "except that it kills" when highlighting a potentially deadly or life-threatening aspect of something, like a flaw in a plan or a dangerous element of a situation.