Save for means except for, apart from. The room was empty save for a single wooden chair. It's literary, common in novels and descriptions; in conversation, people say except for. Save is a preposition here, not a verb: we're saving for a trip means something else entirely.
How would you use save for?
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statement + save for + exception
- The room was empty save for a single wooden chair.
- Everyone had left save for the caretaker.
- The path was clear save for a few fallen branches.
What changed
First versionThe room was empty saved for a single wooden chair.
RevisionThe room was empty save for a single wooden chair.
Save is familiar as a verb, so it gets a past tense: saved for. But in this meaning save is a preposition and never changes: empty save for a chair. Saved for would mean 'kept for'.
Except for means the same, only neutrally: The room was empty except for a chair. Save for is the literary version. Save up for is the verb 'put money aside for': She's saving up for a bike.
Your turn
Here the meaning is except for: The hall was silent ___ one ticking clock.
Show the answer
save for — The hall was silent apart from one ticking clock: that's an exception, so save for. Saved for would mean 'kept for'.
In one sentence, like a scene from a film, describe an almost empty street, station or flat. Point out one exception with save for.
The courtyard was deserted save for a gardener watering the flowers.
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