Words / A2

ik-SEPT/ɪkˈsept/

Except cuts one item out of a group: the shop is open every day except Monday. It is a preposition here: except + noun. Except for is common before a longer phrase. Besides can mean “as well as,” which is almost the opposite. Do not mix it with accept (to say yes).

Meaning

Not including; apart from.

Examples

• “Everyone came except Ali.”
• “The park is empty except for two runners.”
• “I like all fruit except bananas.”

Good to know

except / except for + noun. Opposite idea: besides (= as well as). Not accept.

Near in meaning

apart from

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