not including you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not including you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that someone or something is excluded from a group or list. Example: "Everyone is invited to the party, not including you, since you have other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Some languages make a distinction between the inclusive "we", meaning "I and all of you", and the restrictive "I and others not including you".

The Guardian - Books

The Black Death, the pandemic of bubonic plague that hit Europe in the mid-fourteenth century, is like a disaster movie: a menace stalks the land; cries go up in the streets; millions of people die, not including you and me.

The New Yorker

There are over 300 million people using LinkedIn, not including you and me!

Forbes

You're all debating something and the original tweeter is not including you or other women equally in the conversation.

Vice

Recent home exposure was identified by the question "Has anyone (not including you) smoked tobacco in your home in the past 7 days?" (yes/no).

BMC Public Health

If all party members leave (not including you), the teleport to dungeon icon and find others option disappear.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

With the proper cable (not included), you can hook the tablet up to a TV, for excellent picture and sound.

The New York Times - Tech

You might be in a Richard Long piece, you might be in a painting, on a wall in Berlin (except that the painting could not include you).

The Guardian - Books

The new UC Berkeley Private Group will not include you if you have opted out of WarnMe, or if your email address is not currently listed in UC Berkeley's Directory.

University of California, Berkeley

First, with a special HDMI cable (not included), you can hook it up to a TV or projector, which is great for PowerPoint presentations.

The New York Times

With a special HDMI cable (not included), you can hook it up to a TV or projector, which is great for PowerPoint presentations.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when using "not including you"; it can sound harsh. If appropriate, soften the exclusion with a reason or alternative phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "not including you" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "with the exception of you" or "excluding you" to maintain a polished and respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not including you" functions as a prepositional phrase used to explicitly exclude the listener or reader from a group, action, or statement. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase clarifies who is not part of a specific scenario.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not including you" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to explicitly exclude someone from a group or situation. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the tone and choose alternative phrasings like "except for you" or "excluding you" to avoid being perceived as impolite or too direct. The phrase, according to Ludwig, serves to clarify the scope of the information presented, ensuring the addressed individual understands that they are not part of a specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excluding you

Direct synonym, conveying the same meaning of leaving someone out.

not counting you

Focuses on not considering someone when tallying or including members.

except for you

Highlights an exception, making it clear that you are not included.

aside from you

Specifies an exception, similar to excluding.

you are excluded

More direct and assertive way of stating the exclusion.

leaving you out

Emphasizes the action of excluding someone.

without you

Indicates absence, implying that the person is not part of something.

omitting you

More formal way to indicate that someone is left out.

exclusive of you

Formal and less common way of expressing exclusion.

you're not involved

Indicates a lack of participation or inclusion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not including you" to sound more polite?

You can use phrases like "except for you", "with the exception of you", or "aside from you" to soften the exclusion.

Is "not including you" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not including you" is grammatically correct. It's a prepositional phrase used to exclude someone from a group or list.

What's the difference between "excluding you" and "not including you"?

The phrases "excluding you" and "not including you" are very similar in meaning. "Excluding you" is slightly more concise, while "not including you" might be perceived as slightly softer in tone.

When is it appropriate to use "not including you"?

It's appropriate to use "not including you" when you want to explicitly state that someone is not part of a group or does not apply to a particular situation. However, be mindful of the context and your relationship with the person you're excluding.