whenever except for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whenever except for" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something occurs at all times except for specific instances. Example: "I go for a run whenever except for when it rains."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A subset A of X is called lineable whenever A contains, except for zero, an infinite dimensional vector subspace.

Journal of Functional Analysis

The extent of surgery for BTD is still questionable, and varies from TT, to HT. [ 44, 45] At our Centre we advocate TT, whenever possible, for patients with BTD, except for SHTNs and unilateral benign tumours, since it provides better control of the disease; and as a method of secondary prevention of reoperations that carry a much higher risk of complications.

BMC Cancer

They will be entitled to take meals there whenever these are available, except for Wednesday evenings (when Dinner is restricted to Fellows only).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

L. 104 182 substituted "(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whenever" for "Whenever" and added subsec.

Cornell University

L. 94 284 substituted "(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), whenever" for "Whenever" in existing provision, and added subsecs.

Cornell University

This menu combines a few innovations on perennial favorites; it can be begun any time from 8 to 24 hours in advance, and finished with no work, except for serving whenever you are ready.

The New York Times - Food

Give him/her some treats like cookies, sandwich, lasagna or anything that he likes (except for money) whenever he learns a lesson.

WikiHow

Whenever" for "pesticide: Provided, That whenever".

Cornell University

whenever and whenever for all.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

whenever for and.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

whenever for any in.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to improve clarity. While grammatically acceptable, "whenever except for" can sound awkward. Opt for simpler alternatives like "except when".

Common error

Avoid using "whenever except for" in formal writing. Simpler alternatives enhance readability and ensure your message is clearly understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whenever except for" functions as an adverbial conjunction. It introduces a clause that modifies the main clause by specifying the time or condition under which an action occurs, while also indicating an exception to that condition. Ludwig indicates some awkwardness with this construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whenever except for" is a phrase used to express an action or event that occurs regularly, but with specific exceptions. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig's analysis suggests that it can sound awkward and may not be the most effective choice for clear communication. Simpler alternatives like "except when" or "unless" are often preferred. Given the lack of occurrences in the provided examples, it's best to use this phrase sparingly and consider more common and concise alternatives. Sources such as The New York Times and academic journals tend to use clearer phrasing. The phrase's function is to specify time and condition, with a register that leans toward neutral but can be improved with better word choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except when

Focuses solely on the exclusion of certain times or conditions.

aside from when

Similar to "except when" but with a slightly broader sense of exclusion.

excluding when

Directly specifies the exclusion of particular moments or situations.

other than when

Offers a more formal way to express the exception of specific times.

save for when

Introduces a sense of rarity or infrequency regarding the exception.

except in cases of

Specifies the exclusion based on particular scenarios or instances.

with the exception of when

A more formal and emphatic way of stating an exclusion.

but not when

Simple and direct way to indicate an exception regarding timing.

unless

Conditionally excludes a situation or time.

excluding instances of

Clearly defines the exclusion of specific occurrences.

FAQs

What does "whenever except for" mean?

The phrase "whenever except for" indicates that something happens at all times, excluding specific instances or conditions. It's used to express a general rule with particular exceptions.

How can I use "whenever except for" in a sentence?

You can use "whenever except for" to describe a recurring event with specific exceptions. For example: "I check my email whenever except for when I'm in a meeting."

What can I say instead of "whenever except for"?

You can use alternatives like "except when", "aside from when", or "unless" depending on the context.

Is "whenever except for" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "whenever except for" is often considered awkward. Simpler phrasing like "except when" is generally preferred for better clarity and flow.