friends except for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friends except for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is included in a group of friends with the exception of one or more individuals. Example: "I have many friends except for those who don't support me in tough times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Rafe Khatchadorian hasn't got many friends, hasn't got any friends! except for one - Leo. Rafe Khatchadorian has a big imagination.

The Guardian

Lurie said, "After I got sick, my artist friends, except for Flea and Steve Buscemi, fled from me.

The New Yorker

Pobedonostsev was a dry, reserved, and deeply pessimistic ascetic with almost no close friends, except for the novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who died in 1881.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was little fanfare for Lin's friends, except for their own clever T-shirts that represented their roots and Lin's rare path to N.B.A. success.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bashardost, who is quick to quote Gandhi, has never been married and claims to have no friends except for "25 million ordinary Afghans".

The New York Times

Abandoned by his father, uncared for by his mother, it is no wonder that as a preteen without friends — except for his giant pet iguana, Iggy — the Kid fell into the dark Oz of online porn to assuage his isolation and boredom.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

No one wants to be his friend, except for sad AC, whose entire self-image is derived from OJ. Robert Kardashian abandons him, he can't get a table at his favorite restaurant and the only people at his welcome home party are hangers-on and waitstaff.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I've got a shape-up program for you, too, and though it's a muscle workout, you won't see the results in the mirror or show them off to your friends -- except for intimate friends -- and then the results will be felt, not seen.

Huffington Post

This difference is statistically significant for parents' opinion (p < 0.003 in "choice of friends" and p < 0.001 in all the other topics), and for friends' opinion except for "free time activities" (p = 0.005 for "way of dressing", p = 0.011 for "choice of friends" and p < 0.001 in the other topics) (data not shown).

BMC Public Health

The friends scatter, except for one, who slips and falls.

The New York Times

Let me be clear: I had precisely nothing to contribute to one of my friends' books, except for partaking of his friendship and considerable hospitality - sleeping on his sofa occasionally when I was in town, sharing dinners, cadging money.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "friends except for", ensure that the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about who or what is being excluded.

Common error

Avoid using "friends except for" without clearly specifying the exception. A vague exception can confuse the reader and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friends except for" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate exclusions from a defined group of friends. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "friends except for" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed to denote specific exclusions from a group of friends. Ludwig AI underscores its validity. While it's categorized as uncommon, the phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts ranging from news media to encyclopedic entries. Key to its effective use is clearly defining the exception to prevent vagueness. Alternatives such as "friends with the exception of" or "friends other than" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friends with the exception of

More formal and emphasizes the exception.

friends excluding

Directly indicates exclusion.

friends other than

Formal way of indicating exclusion.

friends apart from

Indicates separation from a group of friends.

friends but not

Simple and straightforward exclusion.

friends not including

Explicitly excludes certain people from friends.

all my friends bar

Uses "bar" to mean excluding, slightly more informal.

my friends save

Uses "save" to mean except, slightly archaic.

friends minus

Informal way of showing exclusion.

friends less

Succinct way of indicating subtraction from friends.

FAQs

How can I use "friends except for" in a sentence?

You can use "friends except for" to specify exclusions from a group of friends, for example: "All my friends are invited, except for John."

What can I say instead of "friends except for"?

You can use alternatives like "friends with the exception of", "friends excluding", or "friends other than" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "friends except for"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate an exclusion from a group of friends. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

What is the difference between "friends except for" and "friends other than"?

"Friends except for" and "friends other than" are very similar, with the latter being slightly more formal. They both serve to indicate specific individuals who are not included in a group of friends.