Apart from means “except”, and it can also mean “in addition to”. It either leaves something out (Everyone came apart from Anna) or adds something (Apart from French, he speaks Spanish). The context shows which meaning is intended: also and too point to “in addition to”.
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apart from + noun/-ing; Apart from + noun, + clause; everyone/nothing + apart from + noun
- Apart from a short lunch break, we worked on the project from nine till six.
- Apart from teaching, she translates technical documents for a local engineering firm.
- The office was completely empty apart from the security guard at the door.
What changed
First versionApart of one small mistake, your presentation was excellent.
RevisionApart from one small mistake, your presentation was excellent.
Of creeps in by analogy with instead of, because of and a part of. But apart in the sense of “except” combines only with from. One preposition was corrected: apart from one small mistake.
Except also means “other than”, but only in the sense of leaving something out: Everyone came except Anna. It doesn't work in the sense of “in addition to”; there you need apart from or besides: Apart from her job, she volunteers at an animal shelter.
Your turn
___ the weekly lectures, first-year students also have to attend two seminars.
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Apart from — The word also shows that the seminars come on top of the lectures. This “in addition to” meaning is expressed by apart from. Except would exclude the lectures, and then also would make no sense.
Describe a trip, course or purchase you are mostly happy with. After apart from, name one drawback, then say what you liked.
Apart from the slow Wi-Fi in our room, the hotel in Kazan was excellent, and the breakfasts were amazing.
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