Except means not including, with the exception of. It takes something out of a whole group: all the people, all the things, all the days. That's why all, every, everyone or nothing often come before it: Everyone agreed except Mark. It's neutral and fits both conversation and essays.
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all/every/everyone/nothing + except + noun/pronoun; Except for + noun, + clause; except (that) + clause
- The museum is open every day except Monday.
- I've packed everything except my phone charger.
- Except for the long queue at passport control, the journey went smoothly.
What changed
First versionExcept English, I also speak French and a little Spanish.
RevisionBesides English, I also speak French and a little Spanish.
Apart from works in two ways. Everyone apart from Anna excludes; apart from English, I speak French adds. Except can only exclude, so Except English, I also speak French removes English from the list of your languages. To add, you need besides.
At the start of a sentence, people usually write except for: Except for the long queue, the journey went smoothly. You also need except for when there's no all, every or nothing before it: The room was empty except for an old piano.
Your turn
Everyone in our department speaks German ___ me, so I've signed up for evening classes.
Show the answer
except — After except, a noun or pronoun follows directly, with no preposition: except me. Of slips in by analogy with instead of and because of, but except doesn't take it.
Write how a trip or a week went. Say that everything was fine and, with except or except for, name one exception.
Our week in Lisbon was perfect except for one rainy afternoon.
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