other than

USAGE SUMMARY

"other than" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used in English to indicate something different than what is expected, suggested, or implied. For example, "I can't think of any other idea other than the one I proposed earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And other than that?

The New York Times

Other than that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Other than the cathedral".

The New York Times

— other than exit planning.

The New York Times

Other than talk.

The New York Times

"Other than that, it's fine".

The New York Times - Sports

Other than that, fire away.

The New York Times

Other than having her around.

The New Yorker

"But other than that, no".

The New York Times - Sports

"Other than that, there's nothing".

The New York Times - Sports

"Other than that, it's perfect".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "except for" or "apart from" to add variety to your writing while maintaining the same meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "other than" when you intend to express addition or inclusion; it specifically denotes exclusion. If you mean 'in addition to', use phrases like "as well as" or "furthermore" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "other than" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing an exception or exclusion to a statement. Ludwig examples show it setting apart specific items or conditions. It modifies a noun phrase by specifying what is not included, as seen in the examples, "no buyers "other than" Fiat".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "other than" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate exceptions or exclusions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as general writing, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. For alternative expressions, consider using "apart from" or "except for" to achieve similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apart from

Indicates exclusion with a slight shift in emphasis.

except for

Directly expresses an exception.

besides

Similar to "except for" but can also imply addition in other contexts.

aside from

Very close in meaning to "apart from".

excluding

More formal and specific, indicating a deliberate exclusion.

not including

Directly states that something is not part of a group.

with the exception of

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing "except for".

save for

An older, slightly more literary alternative.

barring

Indicates exclusion as a condition.

but for

Implies a condition or cause that prevents something.

FAQs

How can I use "other than" in a sentence?

Use "other than" to indicate an exception or something not included. For example, "I have no hobbies "other than" reading" means reading is the only hobby I have.

What's the difference between "other than" and "besides"?

"Other than" indicates an exception, while "besides" can mean 'in addition to' or 'except for', depending on the context. To avoid ambiguity, use "other than" for clear exceptions.

Are there any formal alternatives to "other than"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "with the exception of", "excluding", or "save for" in more formal writing contexts.

Is it correct to say "other than that" in a formal setting?

While commonly used, "other than that" is generally considered informal. In formal settings, opt for phrases like "apart from that" or "except for that".