except the following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except the following" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to list exceptions to a rule or statement. For example, "All classes will be held online, except the following: Math 101, French 202, and Biology 305, which are all taking place in-person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Except the following passage then regales how Rio Ferdinand did "ask my advice on his future".

The Guardian - Sport

statistic and tried to remember what I might have been thinking in the Park over the years, I was hard put to it to come up with anything specific except the following five thoughts.

The New Yorker

It is found that except the following main factors: diameter and area fraction, mainly interactions of geometrical parameters have significant impact on the coefficient of friction.

Wear

Our path analytical model suggests that of these six variables I hypothesized, all of them are useful predictor of e-learning outcomes, except the following three unsupported hypotheses.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

In the first case, it filters all except the following four flag combinations (1) S, (2) PS, (3) US, and (4) UPS.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Its quicker-to-declines results are hard to read positively, except the following perspective: Snap grew so quickly that vetting it against the results of historically similar companies is silly.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Accept the default (ENTER key) for all questions EXCEPT for the following two questions.

WikiHow

A high collinearity between our map and the previously published switchgrass maps of crossed populations (Okada et al. 2010) was observed, excepting the following small discrepancies: seven inversions in marker order between our map and the reference maps.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The same experimental outline was followed as the one-to-one screen except with the following modifications.

Genetics

Hybridization and detection followed the protocol developed for adult worms (Collins et al., 2013), except for the following modifications.

eLife

A perfunctory shout-out like this would ordinarily draw little notice, except that, the following morning, federal agents led Silver off in handcuffs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except the following", ensure the list of exceptions is clear and concise. This phrase works best when the exceptions are fewer than the items included.

Common error

Avoid using "except the following" when the list of exceptions is longer than the included items. In such cases, it's clearer to list what is included rather than what is excluded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except the following" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a list of exceptions. It modifies a preceding statement by specifying elements or conditions that are not covered by the general rule or description. This is supported by Ludwig's examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except the following" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a list of exceptions to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various domains. While more formal alternatives exist, this phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related articles, emphasizing its role in clarifying and specifying exclusions. When using this phrase, ensure the exception list is concise to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exception of the following

Replaces "except" with "with the exception of", adding slightly more formality.

excluding the following

Uses "excluding" instead of "except", focusing on the act of leaving something out.

other than the following

Offers a slightly different way to introduce the exceptions.

apart from the following

Substitutes "except" with "apart from", indicating a separation or distinction.

besides the following

Similar to "apart from", but slightly more conversational.

save for the following

Replaces "except" with "save for", offering a more concise and somewhat archaic tone.

but not including the following

Expands on "except" to explicitly state that certain items are not included.

with the omission of the following

More formal and emphasizes the act of omitting specific items.

not counting the following

More informal and emphasizes that certain items are not being counted or considered.

excluding but not limited to the following

It states that a list of exceptions will follow but that it is not exhaustive.

FAQs

How can I use "except the following" in a sentence?

Use "except the following" to introduce a list of exceptions to a general statement. For example, "All employees are required to attend the meeting, "except the following": those on leave and those with prior commitments".

What is a more formal way to say "except the following"?

A more formal alternative to "except the following" is "with the exception of the following". This phrase adds a degree of formality suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "except the following" and "excluding the following"?

While both phrases are similar, "excluding the following" emphasizes the act of leaving something out, while "except the following" simply indicates an exception to a rule or statement. The difference is subtle and often negligible.

Can I use "except for the following" instead of "except the following"?

Yes, "except for the following" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative. Both phrases serve the same purpose of introducing exceptions.