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JJDouglas Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Can you start a sentence with "except that"?
Do the words "except that" at the beginning of a clause make it dependent, meaning that it is incorrect for it to stand on its own?
For example, which of the following is correct?
"No matter what venue it takes place in, the singing exam will still be a nerve-wracking experience for many, except that this time, their nerves will be visible to a lot more people."
"No matter what venue it takes place in, the singing exam will still be a nerve-wracking experience for many. Except that this time, their nerves will be visible to a lot more people."
I think the second option is technically wrong, but the first option seems too wordy for one sentence. So, is it wrong to start a sentence with "except that"?
For example, which of the following is correct?
"No matter what venue it takes place in, the singing exam will still be a nerve-wracking experience for many, except that this time, their nerves will be visible to a lot more people."
"No matter what venue it takes place in, the singing exam will still be a nerve-wracking experience for many. Except that this time, their nerves will be visible to a lot more people."
I think the second option is technically wrong, but the first option seems too wordy for one sentence. So, is it wrong to start a sentence with "except that"?
Top answer
I don't find the first one excessively wordy. The second one is not wrong, but it has a certain stylistic feel akin to beginning sentences with "But" or "And". If this is not desired, you can use "However" instead.
- I don't find the first one excessively wordy.
- The second one is not wrong, but it has a certain stylistic feel akin to beginning sentences with "But" or "And".
- If this is not desired, you can use "However" instead.
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1 Answers
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I don't find the first one excessively wordy. The second one is not wrong, but it has a certain stylistic feel akin to beginning sentences with "But" or "And". If this is not desired, you can use "However" instead.
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