ENGLISH
REFERENCE

except

prep. · conj. · v.
US //ɪkˈsɛpt// UK //ɛksˈɛpt// ex·cept
  1. 1 not including (prep.)
    A2 Elementary

    not including a particular person or thing.

    used to introduce an exception to a general statement. It functions as a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun.

    Example

    The museum is open every day except Monday.

    Example

    The entire department attended the gala except the senior manager, who had to remain at the office to handle an emergency.
    Pitfall
    Everyone except I was invited.
    Everyone except me was invited.

    When 'except' is a preposition, use the object form of the pronoun (me, him, her, us, them).

  2. 2 but / only (conj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used before a statement that explains why something is not possible or true.

    used to introduce a clause that forms an exception to what has just been said.

    Example

    I would have arrived on time, except the bus was late.

    Example

    The renovation was completed ahead of schedule, except that the final inspection revealed several minor electrical faults.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 to object (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Archaic

    to disagree or argue against something.

    to take exception or object to a statement or action. This intransitive use is typically followed by the preposition 'to'.

    Example

    The lawyer excepted to the witness's statement during the trial.

    Example

    The minority shareholders excepted to the proposed merger, arguing that the valuation of the company was significantly underestimated.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is rare in modern English; students will mostly encounter 'take exception to' instead.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French excepter, from Latin exceptus.

© 2026 English Reference