with the exception of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with the exception of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce the one item or group that is different or excluded from a list of things. For example, "All guests should bring a bathing suit, with the exception of children under four."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

With the exception of Spacewar!

The New York Times - Arts

With the exception of "Greatest Hits, Etc".

The New Yorker

With the exception of this city".

The New York Times

With the exception of McCain".

The New York Times

With the exception of postponing the picture.

The New York Times

With the exception of his favorite show.

The Guardian

(With the exception of the lawyers).

The New York Times

(With the exception of Schalke 04, maybe).

The Guardian - Sport

Manufacturer's instructions were followed with the exception of Nebulization.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

*With the exception of the former Senator from Alaska.

Huffington Post

*with the exception of the Chechen Republic.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with the exception of" to clearly specify the one or few items that do not follow a general rule or statement. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "with the exception of" when the statement is already inclusive. For example, instead of saying "All fruits, with the exception of apples, are healthy," say "Most fruits are healthy, except for apples when consumed in excess quantities." This makes your writing less clunky and more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with the exception of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement by introducing a specific exclusion. As Ludwig AI says, it identifies what is not included within a broader claim. For example, "All carriers, with the exception of JetBlue, oversell flights."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with the exception of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce exclusions from general statements. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When writing, using it helps add precision and avoids ambiguity. For alternatives, consider options like "excluding" or "apart from". Overall, mastering its usage is key to effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exclusion of

A more explicit and formal way of stating the exception.

not including

Clearly states that something is not part of a group or consideration.

excluding

Focuses solely on the act of leaving something out, lacking the introductory prepositional aspect.

apart from

Indicates a separation or distinction from the rest, slightly less formal.

aside from

Similar to 'apart from', suggesting a slight deviation or separate consideration.

excluding only

Highlights that there is only one exception to what is being said.

save for

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing an exception.

leaving out

Simple and direct way of saying something is not included.

but for

Emphasizes the condition that something would be true if not for the specified exception.

omitting

Directly focuses on the act of leaving something out, less nuanced.

FAQs

How to use "with the exception of" in a sentence?

Use "with the exception of" to introduce a specific exclusion from a general statement. For instance, "All students passed the exam, with the exception of John".

What can I say instead of "with the exception of"?

You can use alternatives like "excluding", "apart from", or "aside from" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "with the exception of only"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "with the exception of only" can be redundant. The phrase "with the exception of" already implies that you are referring to a limited number of exclusions. Consider using "excluding only" for emphasis.

What's the difference between "with the exception of" and "except for"?

"With the exception of" is more formal than "except for", but they are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.