except

conjunction, preposition

UK /ɪkˈsept/

Except can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): We haven’t told anyone except Leslie’s dad.

as a conjunction (followed by a clause or adverbial phrase): I’d go and see him myself, except I don’t know where he lives.

before a conjunction such as ‘that’, ‘when’, or ‘if’: I don’t know much about the man, except that he’s a fool.

in the prepositional phrase except for: Everything was perfect except for the weather.

1
used for introducing the only person, thing, or fact that is not included in your main statement
All the team were there except Eddie Stratton, who was ill.
The shop is open every day 9.00 to 5.00, except on Sundays.
Not a sound was heard except the wind howling.
except for:
She was dressed all in black except for a white lace collar.
except (that):
Airline officials had nothing to tell us except that the flight had been delayed.
except when/where/what:
I hardly ever get a chance to study, except when the children have gone to bed.
except do something:
He’s done nothing all day except sit around and watch television.
Synonyms and related words
Only, except and not including
only
except
excluding
2
mainly spokenused for introducing a statement that makes what you have just said seem less true or less possible
except (that):
I ought to have told the police, except they’d never have believed me.
I’d be glad to help, except that I’m going to be away this weekend.

conjunction, preposition

US /ɪkˈsept/

Except can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): We haven’t told anyone except Leslie’s dad.

as a conjunction (followed by a clause or adverbial phrase): I’d go and see him myself, except I don’t know where he lives.

before a conjunction such as “that,” “when,” or “if”: I don’t know much about the man, except that he’s an idiot.

in the prepositional phrase except for: Everything was perfect except for the weather.

1
used for introducing the only person, thing, or fact that is not included in your main statement
The whole team was there, except Pete, who was sick.
The store is open every day from 9:00 to 5:00, except on Sundays.
Not a sound was heard except the wind howling.
except for:
She was dressed all in black except for a white lace collar.
except (that):
Airline officials had nothing to tell us except that the flight had been delayed.
except when/where/what:
I hardly ever get a chance to study, except when the children have gone to bed.
except do something:
He did nothing all day except sit around and watch television.
Synonyms and related words
Only, except and not including
only
except
excluding
2
mainly spokenused for introducing a statement that makes what you have just said seem less true or less possible
except (that):
I would have told them the truth, except they wouldn’t have believed me.
I’d be glad to help, except that I’m going to be away this weekend.

verb transitive formal

UK /ɪkˈsept/

Word Forms

verb transitive formal

US /ɪkˈsept/

Word Forms

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