save for the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "save for the fact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the only exception in a statement or condition. For example, "Everyone liked the show save for the fact that the sound was off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Many of the labs looked like ones you might see at M.I.T., save for the fact that Amma's picture was displayed more or less everywhere.

The New York Times

The logo of the La Salle Explorers would be at home in the Incongruous Francophilia category, save for the fact that it is not incongruous at all.

The New Yorker

Indeed, there aren't many compelling reasons why Stone won't win the whole thing, save for the fact that she isn't Patricia Arquette.

The Guardian - Film

To many Iraqis who heard of the experience, it was unexceptional, save for the fact that I suffered no physical harm.

The New York Times

They were perfect for the red carpet, save for the fact that they were all completely see-through and therefore entirely inappropriate for the Kodak theatre.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The two projects have "very little in common," she said, "save for the fact that they are now both fully functional systems used daily by thousands of city employees".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Most ire was saved for the fact that some of the country's biggest retailers are involved.

The Guardian - Money

You might worry about the implications of this all this cross-platforming (are comedians now too busy to create bespoke live work?), save for the happy fact that, so far, these crossover shows have been every bit as funny as, ahem, non-literary standup.

The Guardian

He does not specify in what way they are lacking, save for the aforementioned fact that they can and do appear unequal whereas Equality does not and apparently cannot do so.

SEP

Yet his reflection on the life of Sánchez bears little resemblance to the man's own account, save for the barest facts.

Huffington Post

Now, does that take away from the fact that, save for the wireless store, the DSi can be described as a minor update at best?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "save for the fact" to introduce a specific exception that slightly alters the overall statement, ensuring clarity by pinpointing the single condition that changes the scenario.

Common error

Avoid using "save for the fact" when there are several exceptions. Instead, use a phrase like "with a few exceptions" or list the exceptions individually for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "save for the fact" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, introducing an exception or qualification to a preceding statement. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "save for the fact" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a notable exception to an otherwise general statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English across diverse contexts, especially within news and media. The phrase's function is to specify a condition that, if not accounted for, would alter the validity or scope of the preceding assertion. While alternatives like "except for the fact that" and "but for the fact that" exist, "save for the fact" maintains a neutral tone suitable for professional and journalistic writing. Remember to use it when you are referring to an exception or qualification to the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for the fact that

Replaces "save" with "except", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

but for the fact that

Uses "but" to introduce the exception, slightly emphasizing the contrast.

aside from the fact that

Indicates that the stated fact is an exception to the general case.

with the exception of the fact that

More formal and explicitly states the presence of an exception.

apart from the fact that

Similar to "aside from", indicating a separation or exclusion.

were it not for the fact that

Expresses a hypothetical situation where the fact changes the outcome.

excluding the fact that

Directly excludes the fact from consideration.

if it weren't for the fact that

Similar to "were it not for", but uses a more common conditional structure.

on the condition that

Highlights that what follows is a necessary condition.

subject to the fact that

Indicates that the statement is dependent on the truth of the fact.

FAQs

How can I use "save for the fact" in a sentence?

Use "save for the fact" to introduce the only exception in a statement or condition. For example, "The presentation was excellent, "save for the fact" that the audio was not working correctly."

What can I say instead of "save for the fact"?

You can use alternatives like "except for the fact that", "but for the fact that", or "aside from the fact that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "save for the fact" or "except for the fact"?

Both ""save for the fact"" and "except for the fact" are correct and can be used interchangeably to introduce an exception.

What's the difference between "save for the fact" and "despite the fact"?

"Save for the fact" introduces an exception, while "despite the fact" acknowledges a fact that doesn't prevent the main outcome. For example, "Save for the fact that it rained, the picnic was enjoyable" versus "Despite the fact that it rained, the picnic was enjoyable."