nobody except

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nobody except" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that no one is included in a statement or action, except for a specific person or group. Example: "Nobody except Sarah knew about the surprise party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nobody except Donald Trump.

The New Yorker

Nobody, except a few".

The New York Times

Nobody except Rockstar, of course.

The Guardian - Tech

Nobody except for one man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nobody except Root really has a name.

The New York Times - Books

This absurd system serves nobody except Microsoft.

The New York Times - Tech

Nobody, except Patti, who inherited everything.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nobody except Gov. David Paterson, that is.

The New York Times

Nobody, except a few unfortunate students, paid any attention.

The Guardian - Film

Nobody except perhaps the very elderly is more marginalised.

The Guardian - Books

Nobody except me thought it was going to work out".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nobody except", ensure the exception is clearly defined and relevant to the context. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the exception immediately after the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "nobody except" with a vague or undefined exception. For instance, instead of saying "Nobody except a few people knew", specify who those few people are if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nobody except" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a statement of universal negation. It modifies the verb or clause by specifying who or what is excluded from the general condition, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nobody except" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction to introduce an exception to a negative statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to specify an exclusion, adding clarity and precision to communication. It is versatile, fitting well in both formal and informal contexts, and it frequently appears in news media, as well as in scientific and academic articles. When employing "nobody except", ensure the exception is clearly defined to avoid any potential vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nobody other than

A more emphatic way of saying "nobody except", indicating the single exception.

no one but

This phrase is a more concise and direct alternative, emphasizing the exclusivity.

no one apart from

A slightly more formal way of expressing the exception.

only

This is the simplest alternative, focusing solely on the exception.

aside from

A common and versatile alternative for indicating an exception.

with the exception of

This phrase highlights the exception explicitly, suitable for formal contexts.

none other than

This phrase adds emphasis and a sense of importance to the exception.

but for

This phrase emphasizes the condition created by the exception.

excluding

A more direct and concise way to indicate an exception.

save for

A slightly archaic but still valid way to express an exception.

FAQs

How to use "nobody except" in a sentence?

Use "nobody except" to indicate that something applies to everyone, with a specific person or group as an exception. For example: "Nobody except John knew the answer."

What can I say instead of "nobody except"?

You can use alternatives like "no one but", "only", or "nobody other than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "no one except" instead of "nobody except"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct and interchangeable. "No one except" and "nobody except" have the same meaning and can be used in similar contexts.

What's the difference between "nobody except" and "everyone except"?

"Nobody except" means that the statement is true for no one else but the specified exception, while "everyone except" means the statement applies to all but the mentioned person or group. They express opposite meanings.