Both except and except for can be used after words like all, every, no, everything, anybody, nowhere, whole etc. In other cases, we use except for.
- All the invitees turned up except Shyam. OR All the invitees turned up except for Shyam.
Both except and except for are possible after all.
- Except for Shyam all the invitees turned up. (NOT Except Shyam all the invitees turned up.)
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with except or except for.
1He does not know any language ............... Malayalam.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that Malayalam is the only language he knows.
2All the boys have come ............... two.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that two boys are excluded from the group that came.
3All the boys stood up ............... John.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that John was the only boy who did not stand up.
4All the girls have passed the test ............... Maya.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that Maya was the only girl who did not pass the test.
5We have brought all our instruments ............... my guitar.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that my guitar was the only instrument not brought.
6He ate everything on his plate ............... the potatoes.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that the potatoes were the only food he did not eat.
7I have cleaned all the rooms ............... the guestroom.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that the guestroom was the only room not cleaned.
8Nobody came ............... John and Mary.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that John and Mary were the only people who came.
9Nobody helped me ............... you.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Except" and "except for" both show that you were the only person who helped me.
Answers
- He does not know any language except / except for Malayalam.
- All the boys have come except / except for two.
- All the boys stood up except / except for John.
- All the girls have passed the test except / except for Maya.
- We have brought all our instruments except / except for my guitar.
- He ate everything on his plate except / except for the potatoes.
- I have cleaned all the rooms except / except for the guestroom.
- Nobody came except / except for John and Mary.
- Nobody helped me except / except for you.
