nobody except for

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Nobody except for one man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nobody except for media personnel were being allowed near the jail," he added.

Independent

"He makes critical shots at critical times like nobody except for Nicklaus," Brehaut said.

The New York Times - Sports

As players, coaches and executives scattered for the exits, nobody except for a former teacher named Peppe Pinton saw much value in anything Cosmos-related.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nobody – except for rarities like NBC's Andrea Mitchell – wants to produce a block of TV on something that sounds as complicated as how to fight Isis in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when the EPP won, Mrs Merkel found that she could not turn her back on Mr Juncker without being accused of betraying the promise of more democracy.Suicide in Flanders fieldThe Spitzenkandidaten system has now acquired a force that nobody except for Mr Cameron dares challenge.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Nobody except maybe for Peter Rees, for two decades the City of London corporation official who presided over the firestorm of high rises that has swept over the City of London with apparent glee.

The Guardian - Opinion

The camp sensibility was lost on almost nobody except perhaps for Cox's mother, Beverly, who had travelled up from Atlanta.

The Guardian

What is really making people twitchy is that nobody, except perhaps for a few of his intimates, has any idea what sort of prime minister Gordon Brown will make.Mr Brown's previous suspicions about the role of markets in public-service provision suggest to some that his approach would be very different from Mr Blair's.

The Economist

Nobody came, except for one record guy, and he never called back".

The New York Times - Arts

In my day nobody marched, except for the lone student who used to picket Nassau Hall against nuclear weapons.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nobody except for", ensure that the exception is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Nobody except for the project lead has access to these files."

Common error

Avoid using "nobody except for" in constructions that create a double negative. For instance, instead of saying "Nobody except for John didn't like the movie", clarify with "Everyone liked the movie except for John" or "Only John didn't like the movie".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nobody except for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception to a general statement. It modifies a noun or pronoun by specifying who or what is excluded from the general category, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

HuffPost

10%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nobody except for" is a prepositional phrase used to specify an exception to a general statement, indicating that only a particular person or group is excluded. Ludwig AI data reveals that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "no one but" or "only" exist, "nobody except for" offers a slightly more formal and explicit way to express exclusion. When using this phrase, ensure the exception is clearly defined to avoid any ambiguity. Ludwig also provides examples of how to use "nobody except for" effectively, helping writers to refine their expression with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no one but

Replaces "nobody except for" with a more concise and direct phrasing, emphasizing the exclusiveness.

no one else but

Similar to "no one but", but with added emphasis on the lack of others.

none other than

A more formal alternative emphasizing the specificity of the exception.

only

Simplifies the phrase to its most essential component, focusing solely on the exception.

with the exception of

A more verbose and formal way of stating the exception.

excluding all but

Highlights the act of excluding, with a focus on the remaining exception.

not including anyone except

Emphasizes the act of not including, making the exception more prominent.

save for

A slightly more archaic alternative, implying a sense of preservation or exemption.

apart from

Indicates a separation or distinction, with the specified exception standing apart.

besides

Indicates addition, focusing on the included exception after an initial exclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "nobody except for" in a sentence?

Use "nobody except for" to indicate that a statement applies to everyone with a specific exclusion. For example: "Nobody except for the CEO knew about the merger."

What's a more concise way to say "nobody except for"?

Alternatives include "no one but" or "only", depending on the context. These options can provide a more direct and streamlined expression.

Is there a formal alternative to "nobody except for"?

Yes, a more formal alternative is "with the exception of". This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "nobody except for" and "anybody except for"?

"Nobody except for" excludes all individuals except the one specified, while "anybody except for" includes all individuals except the one specified. The former implies a negative condition for almost everyone, and the latter implies a positive condition for almost everyone.