except
except — preposition
1. used to show that someone or something is not part of a larger group or set that
used to show that someone or something is not part of a larger group or set that the rest of a statement applies to.
Everyone at the office went to the party except Yumi, who was sick with a bad cold.
except + noun after 'everyone' for exclusion
The museum is open every day except Monday, when it is closed for cleaning.
All the books on the shelf except the one by Vivek belong to the school library.
The children ate everything on their plates except the broccoli, which nobody touched.
except + noun after 'everything' for contrast
I finished all my homework except for the last math problem, which looks very hard.
except for + noun phrase
- except for
- all except
- everyone except
- everything except
- nothing except
- apart from
very similar meaning, slightly less formal
- excluding
more direct and transactional, often used in lists or prices
- but
used in set phrases like 'all but one'; more formal and restrictive
- including
opposite meaning; adds the item rather than removing it
Grammar Patterns
except + noun/pronoun
except for + noun phrase
except + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
In everyday speech, 'except' normally follows the group it excludes. The phrase 'except for' can appear at the start of a sentence ('Except for the rain, the trip was perfect.') or be used before noun phrases.
Common Mistakes
except — verb
1. to deliberately leave someone or something out of a group, rule, or activity, us
to deliberately leave someone or something out of a group, rule, or activity, usually by making an explicit statement that they are not included.
The professor excepted Tendai from the final exam because she had a medical emergency.
except + person + from + obligation
The manager excepted the new interns from the bonus because they had only started the previous month.
The scholarship rules except students who have already earned a degree from another university.
except + noun + from + noun in rule context
No one was excepted from the safety training, not even the senior managers.
passive: be excepted from
The insurance contract excepts any damage caused by war or natural disasters.
- excepted from
- excepted from the rule
- excepted from the requirement
Grammar Patterns
except + noun + from + noun
be excepted from + noun
Usage Note
This verb is most common in formal writing, official rules, and contracts. The passive structure 'be excepted from' is especially frequent ('Children under five are excepted from the fee.').
Common Mistakes
2. to express disagreement or disapproval about something that has been said or don
to express disagreement or disapproval about something that has been said or done; to object to a particular point or action.
Several parents excepted to the school's decision to remove music classes from the weekly timetable.
except to + noun phrase (formal objection)
The defence lawyer excepted to the judge's ruling and immediately asked for an appeal.
Heloísa excepted to the way her supervisor spoke to her during the team meeting.
No one excepted to the proposal to shorten the work week by one hour each Friday.
except to + proposal/plan
The senator excepted to the new law, arguing that it would unfairly raise taxes for small businesses.
- except to
- except to the ruling
- except to the decision
- except to the proposal
- object to
more common in everyday speech; 'except to' is formal and rarer
- take exception to
same meaning and register; slightly more emphatic
- protest
stronger and more active, often implies public opposition
- agree with
opposite meaning; to share the same opinion
- accept
to receive something without objection
Grammar Patterns
except to + noun/gerund
except to + what/how clause
Usage Note
Almost always followed by 'to'. This is a formal or literary usage; in everyday conversation, 'object to' is far more common. The phrase 'take exception to' has the same meaning and is somewhat more frequent.
Common Mistakes
except — conjunction
1. used to introduce a condition that would change or prevent what was just stated;
used to introduce a condition that would change or prevent what was just stated; if it were not for the fact that something else happens.
The doctor said the patient would recover fully except there were unexpected complications during surgery.
except + clause meaning 'unless' (formal)
Mira will not sign the contract except her lawyer reviews all the fine print first.
except + clause meaning 'unless' with present conditional
The recipe produces a perfect sponge cake except you use salted butter instead of unsalted.
except + clause introducing a condition that changes the outcome
The family would adopt the puppy except the landlord refuses to allow any pets in the building.
Visitors cannot enter the laboratory except a staff member escorts them from the main lobby.
except + clause stating a condition for permission
- except + clause
- except it (happens)
- except there (is/are)
Grammar Patterns
except + clause (meaning 'unless')
except + clause with alternative condition
Usage Note
This conjunction sense is found mainly in formal or literary English. In everyday speech, 'unless' or 'except that' are far more common substitutes. The clause following 'except' states the condition that blocks the main action.
Common Mistakes
2. used to introduce the only thing, person, or detail that a previous statement do
used to introduce the only thing, person, or detail that a previous statement does not apply to, or that modifies the truth of what was said.
The flat looks perfect except that the kitchen is too small to fit a dining table.
except that + clause introducing a single drawback
The twins look exactly alike except that one has a small scar above her left eyebrow.
The film received excellent reviews except that a few critics found the final scene confusing.
except that + clause for a single point of disagreement
The hotel was wonderful except for the noisy construction work that started at six every morning.
except for + noun phrase
The job offer was generous except that it required a two-year commitment, which Putri could not make.
- except that
- except for
- except when
- except where
- other than
similar meaning but less precise about introducing a single exception
- save
formal/literary; 'all save the last'
Grammar Patterns
except that + clause
except for + noun phrase
Usage Note
This sense usually appears in one of two patterns: 'except that + clause' where the clause names the sole exception to the main statement, or 'except for + noun phrase' where the noun names the exceptional item.
Common Mistakes
3. used to introduce a reason why something that was expected or desired did not ha
used to introduce a reason why something that was expected or desired did not happen; only; but.
Bilal would have joined us for dinner except he had to finish an urgent report for his boss.
except + clause giving a counter-reason
I would lend you the money except I just paid my rent and my account is nearly empty.
Cyrus would have gone to the concert except his car would not start that morning.
Anna would have accepted the job in Tokyo except her elderly mother needs daily care at home.
except + clause explaining a personal obstacle
We would have bought that house except the roof needed major repairs that cost too much.
- would have...except
- could have...except
- would...except
Grammar Patterns
except + clause (meaning 'but' or 'only')
Usage Note
Used in informal speech and writing to explain why something could not happen. The main clause nearly always contains 'would have' or 'could have' followed by a past participle, and the 'except' clause gives the blocking reason.