Talk:except

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Latest comment: 2 years ago by Backinstadiums in topic + finite clause
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excepte (rare or archaic)[edit]

Can it really be just a "rare" spelling nowadays? --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:59, 18 July 2019 (UTC)Reply

except for opinion[edit]

What meaning is use in except for opinion --Backinstadiums (talk) 11:20, 10 September 2020 (UTC)Reply

'cept[edit]

Alternative form 'cept --Backinstadiums (talk) 11:27, 10 September 2020 (UTC)Reply

+ finite clause[edit]

You can use except in front of a finite claus,e but only when the clause is introduced by when, while, where, what, or that, I can't remember what we ate, except that it was delicious. --Backinstadiums (talk) 08:44, 25 August 2021 (UTC)Reply

(informal) except that; but for the fact that: I would have arrived earlier, except I lost my way --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:23, 25 August 2021 (UTC)Reply

Large variety of complements[edit]

See CGEL (2002). pages 641-2 "Matrix-licensed complements"

  1. NP: There's nobody home except a new housekeeper.
  2. bare role NP: He's had every job except chairman.
  3. PP: I've looked for them everywhere except in the park.
  4. AdjP: He was all one could want in a candidate except electable.
  5. AdvP: He covered the topic in every way except honestly.
  6. bare infinitive: He can't do much except get himself in trouble.
  7. to-infinitive: I intend nothing except to sleep.
  8. gerund-particple: There's no hope except suing for peace.
  9. declarative content clause: He said little(,) except that it was justified.
  10. closed interrogative: The discussion covered everything except how I'd scored.
  11. open interrrogative: He inquired nothing except were they happy.
  12. subjunctive clause: I have no expectations, except that they stand trial.

It doesn't seem possible to have an explanatory definition, ie, one not using the synonyms but, save, excepting, and similar terms, that is substitutable in