except that it works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except that it works" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a condition or exception where something is generally not expected to function, but in this case, it does. Example: "I was skeptical about the new software, except that it works better than the previous version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Twarp is like plainpv except that it works from an analysis file rather than a soundfile.

Princeton University

The piece is a model of the city of Los Angeles, except that it works better.

The New York Times

This function duplicates aref (see section Functions that Operate on Arrays) and nth (see section Accessing Elements of Lists), except that it works for any kind of sequence.

Stanford University

Why Miss Mary should stay on in Argentina, after being fired from her job (for good if unfortunate reasons), is never made clear, except that it works for the convenience of the story.

The New York Times

It's similar to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), except that it works across smartphone platforms.

TechCrunch

There's not much to say about this except that it works better than before.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There's not much to review, except to say that it works, it's very well designed and it's fun (compare to this javascript version of Battleship).

TechCrunch

The film is goofy, in a Monty Python way, and might have been dismissed as ridiculous — except that it worked.

The New York Times

And AppLovin actually has been in business for a little more than two years — it was "stealth" in the sense that it wasn't really talking to anyone except the advertisers and publishers that it worked with.

TechCrunch

Except, that is, when it works to their advantage.

The New York Times

Fair point about that 4-1-3-1-1, excepthatat the thing that made it work so well the past few years - a stout bald Irishman - is no longer available.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To sound more natural, try to use this phrase after setting up expectations that may be wrong. For instance, something initially deemed flawed or ineffective ends up functioning properly

Common error

Avoid using "except that it works" when there is no prior expectation of failure or malfunction. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except that it works" functions as a conjunctional phrase that introduces a contrasting element to a previous statement. It indicates an exception where something unexpectedly functions despite an implied or stated reason why it should not. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except that it works" is a grammatically correct conjunctional phrase used to express surprise or mild irony regarding the unexpected functionality of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While not overly formal, it's best used when there's a prior expectation of failure or malfunction, and overusing it can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "but surprisingly, it functions" or "though unexpectedly, it's effective" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but surprisingly, it functions

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the functionality.

though unexpectedly, it's effective

Highlights the effectiveness despite expectations.

yet against all odds, it succeeds

Suggests a higher degree of improbability in its success.

however, contrary to expectation, it delivers

More formal, emphasizing the contrast with expectation.

nonetheless, it proves functional

Slightly more formal and emphasizes functionality.

still, it manages to operate

Implies a degree of difficulty overcome.

even so, it is operative

Formal and stresses the active state of working.

even though it shouldn't, it does function

Explicitly states the contrast between expectation and reality.

despite assumptions, it is in working order

Highlights the discrepancy with assumed non-functionality.

although seemingly unlikely, it is effective

Emphasizes the apparent unlikelihood of its effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "except that it works" to express surprise or acknowledge an unexpected positive outcome. For example, "I didn't think the old computer would even turn on, "except that it works" perfectly."

What are some alternatives to "except that it works"?

Alternatives include "but surprisingly, it functions", "though unexpectedly, it's effective", or "yet against all odds, it succeeds", depending on the context and the degree of surprise you want to convey.

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

It's appropriate when you want to highlight a situation where something functions despite initial doubts or expectations to the contrary. It adds a touch of irony or humor to the statement.

Is "except that it works" formal or informal?

"Except that it works" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. More formal alternatives might include "nonetheless, it proves functional" or "however, contrary to expectation, it delivers".