except times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except times" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it lacks context and proper grammatical structure. Example: "We can meet any day except times that conflict with our schedules."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Oh, just by the way, The New York Times' ethics policy bar me and many other editors and reporters from owning individual companies' stocks, except Times stock, for the obvious reason that we hear non-public information sometimes and our opinions and news reporting can influence prices).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Smith bakes hers, but this doesn't seem to add anything, except time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People develop projects without any constraints except time and their collective skill.

The Guardian

He said most people with a herniated disc recover within 6 to 12 weeks "without any intervention except time".

The New York Times

In those moments of futility, inadequacy, and shame, nothing can really help except time, and a beautiful voice that understands.

The New Yorker

The weirdness would end there, except time zone differences meant that in his birthplace Liverpool the date was the 9th.

The Guardian - Music

Nothing is ours except time.

Forbes

First and second lags of explanatory variables (except time dummies) are used as instruments.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Models (1) and (3) include first and second lags of explanatory variables (except time dummies) as instruments.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Nothing had changed, except time was gone.

Vice

All time, other than driving time, in or upon any CMV except time spent resting in a sleeper berth.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "except times" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use more precise alternatives like "except during specific times" or "excluding certain occasions" to improve clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "except times" when a more specific temporal reference is needed. For instance, instead of saying "We are available except times after 6 PM", it's better to say "We are available except after 6 PM" or "We are available except for times after 6 PM."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except times" functions as an attempt to express an exception related to temporal instances. However, it is grammatically flawed and lacks clarity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrasing is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except times" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although it appears in various sources, its use is inconsistent and imprecise. To convey exceptions related to time, it is recommended to use clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "except during specific times", "excluding certain occasions", or "apart from scheduled times". These alternatives provide better precision and ensure effective communication in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding specific times

Adds "specific" to emphasize particular times are not included. Maintains the temporal exclusion.

excluding occasions

Replaces "times" with "occasions" to refer to specific instances, maintaining the exclusion concept.

other than those instances

Replaces "times" with "instances" for a more precise reference to specific occurrences.

except during periods

Replaces "times" with "during periods", focusing on the timeframe when something doesn't happen.

apart from the instances

Uses "instances" to denote specific occurrences, providing a clearer meaning of exclusion.

besides the occasions

Uses "occasions" instead of "times", offering a slightly more formal alternative for specific events.

with the exception of periods

Specifies "periods" to refer to durations, clarifying that these are excluded.

save for the moments

Employs "moments" to indicate particular points in time that are excluded.

excluding the hours

Replaces "times" with "hours", focusing on specific timeframes being excluded.

apart from scheduled times

More specific by saying that the times are scheduled, offering additional detail to the context.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "except" to refer to specific times?

To correctly use "except" when referring to specific times, provide a clear temporal context. For example, use "except during these times" or "except at specific times". Avoid using the ambiguous phrase "except times".

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "except times"?

Instead of "except times", consider using phrases like "except during", "excluding specific times", or "apart from certain times" to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Is there a difference between "except at" and "except during" when referring to time?

"Except at" is used for specific moments or points in time, while "except during" is used for periods or durations. For example, "I'm available except at 3 PM" versus "I'm available except during the afternoon".

Can I use "except for" instead of "except during" or "except at" when referring to time?

Yes, "except for" can be used more generally to introduce an exception related to time. For instance, "I'm available every day "except for Sundays"" or "I'm available "except for a few hours" on Tuesday".