except where otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except where otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a statement applies in all cases except for specific situations that may be defined elsewhere in the text. Example: "The rules apply to all participants, except where otherwise stated in the guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plumage descriptions based on Hilty (2011), except where otherwise noted.

Cornell University

Except where otherwise noted, this work is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License.

University of California, Berkeley

This term also includes guaranteed lines of credit except where otherwise indicated.

Cornell University

Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International.

Cornell University

Fact sheets and other resources are from the Cornell Waste Management Institute except where otherwise noted.

Cornell University

Ingredients were sourced from Brewers Supply Group (Shakopee, MN, USA), except where otherwise noted.

Nature

Ingredients were sourced from Brewers Supply Group (Shakopee, MN) except where otherwise noted.

Nature

Except where otherwise noted, shipping is extra, and the companies accept American Express, Mastercard and Visa.

The New York Times - Food

* Except where otherwise indicated, the requisite for each category is at least 50 times at bat.

The New York Times - Sports

Throughout the manuscript, except where otherwise stated, descriptive statistics are expressed as mean ± standard error.

Nature

Photography by Mark M. Zupan except where otherwise noted.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except where otherwise" to clearly signal deviations from a general rule or standard, enhancing the precision of your writing. This phrase is particularly useful in contracts, academic papers, and technical documentation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "except where otherwise" in simple sentences where a direct alternative like "unless" or "except when" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except where otherwise" functions as an exception marker, signaling that a general rule or statement has specific deviations or conditions. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to introduce clauses that provide alternative instructions or conditions that override the default rule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

22%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "except where otherwise" is a versatile phrase used to introduce exceptions to general statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in scientific and academic contexts. It enhances clarity and precision, signaling that specific situations may deviate from the norm. For effective writing, use it judiciously to avoid unnecessary formality, and consider simpler alternatives in less complex sentences. Related phrases like "unless otherwise stated" and "except as otherwise provided" offer similar nuances, allowing writers to tailor their language for optimal clarity. Remember, the key is to ensure that exceptions are clearly delineated to avoid ambiguity. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources such as Nature and Cornell University underscores its importance in formal and technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless otherwise specified

Focuses on specific details or conditions that might alter the general rule.

unless otherwise stated

Emphasizes that the default assumption holds true unless explicitly contradicted.

except as otherwise provided

Highlights the existence of specific provisions that supersede the general rule.

save where otherwise indicated

Indicates that the general rule applies, except for explicitly noted deviations.

excluding cases where otherwise

Directly excludes specific scenarios from the general application of the rule.

except in circumstances where otherwise

Specifies that deviations occur only under particular conditions.

apart from when otherwise

Implies that the rule is generally applicable, with limited exceptions.

but where otherwise

Introduces a contrasting exception to the main statement or rule.

other than where otherwise

Emphasizes that the primary condition stands unless there's a different instruction.

with the exception of cases where otherwise

Clearly marks that specific cases will not follow the general rule.

FAQs

How can I use "except where otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "except where otherwise" to indicate that a general statement is true unless there are specific exceptions. For example, "All rules apply to participants, "except where otherwise" stated in the guidelines."

What's the difference between "except where otherwise stated" and "unless otherwise stated"?

Both phrases are very similar. "Except where otherwise stated" emphasizes that an exception exists, while "unless otherwise stated" focuses on the condition that must be met for the exception to apply. They are often interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "except where otherwise"?

You can use alternatives like "unless otherwise specified", "except as noted", or "save where otherwise indicated" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "except where otherwise" in every paragraph of a document?

Yes, it can be. Instead of repeating ""except where otherwise"" frequently, consider stating the exceptions clearly at the beginning or end of the document, or use a more concise phrasing.