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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Except/ except for
Are both OK and interchangeable?
1a) The difference could be in the quality of the two shirts.
Or
1b) The difference could be a difference in the quality of the two shirts.
Are all grammatical?
Which is preferred?
2a) I have all of the subscription payments, except two.
2b) I have all of the subscription payments, except for two.
2c) I have all the subscription payments, except two.
2d) I have all the subscription payments, except for two.
2e) I have all except two of the subscription payments.
Thank you
1a) The difference could be in the quality of the two shirts.
Or
1b) The difference could be a difference in the quality of the two shirts.
Are all grammatical?
Which is preferred?
2a) I have all of the subscription payments, except two.
2b) I have all of the subscription payments, except for two.
2c) I have all the subscription payments, except two.
2d) I have all the subscription payments, except for two.
2e) I have all except two of the subscription payments.
Thank you
Top answer
1) Both are OK and interchangeable. The less wordy version is preferred. 2) In my opinion, all of these examples are equally acceptable.
- 1) Both are OK and interchangeable.
- The less wordy version is preferred.
- 2) In my opinion, all of these examples are equally acceptable.
- Although "of" is required in (e), some would prefer to omit the "of" in (a) and (b).
- In a sentence where the exception is more complicated, it might be unwise to omit the "for": I've completed all the arrangements, except for the room reservations for the General and his wife.
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5 Answers
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1) Both are OK and interchangeable. The less wordy version is preferred.
2) In my opinion, all of these examples are equally acceptable.
Although "of" is required in (e), some would prefer to omit the "of" in (a) and (b).
In a sentence where the exception is more complicated, it might be unwise to omit the "for":
I've completed all the arrangements, except fo
2) In my opinion, all of these examples are equally acceptable.
Although "of" is required in (e), some would prefer to omit the "of" in (a) and (b).
In a sentence where the exception is more complicated, it might be unwise to omit the "for":
I've completed all the arrangements, except fo
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Thank you. 'except for' is idiomatic. Hence I thought the standard preposition 'except' would be preferred--but you've shown that it is preferred in some instances.
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Hi, English.
Just as an aside, I've gotten in the habit of using "idiomatic" to describe any usage which is commonly accepted.
Perhaps it's better used to describe an expression found in somebody's "list of idioms."
I haven't checked the etymology.
We once had a rather obstreperous member who used it to describe people whose English was or wasn't correct: You
Just as an aside, I've gotten in the habit of using "idiomatic" to describe any usage which is commonly accepted.
Perhaps it's better used to describe an expression found in somebody's "list of idioms."
I haven't checked the etymology.
We once had a rather obstreperous member who used it to describe people whose English was or wasn't correct: You
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Hi,
A small further comment.
1b) The difference could be a difference in the quality of the two shirts.
As much as possible, repetition of words is usually avoided in natural English.
Best wishes, Clive
A small further comment.
1b) The difference could be a difference in the quality of the two shirts.
As much as possible, repetition of words is usually avoided in natural English.
Best wishes, Clive
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Hi
Yes, I too have noticed people use the word idiomatic differently. And I also have met a forum member who uses it in such a way; I wonder if we are talking of the same person...
Yes, I too have noticed people use the word idiomatic differently. And I also have met a forum member who uses it in such a way; I wonder if we are talking of the same person...
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