Introduction
Except (for) Norway and Finland, I have never been to any other countries. How about you?
I have never studied any other foreign languages except (for) Italian. How about you?
My Italian is pretty good, except for my listening.
How about your English?
Grammar 1
Re-read opening statements in italics. What does except (for) tell us in the following sentences?
("except (for)" >>> used to introduce ideas that the main part of the sentence does not include)
(When "except (for)" is used as a preposition or conjunction it means "but for" or "other than".)
(I didn't speak to anyone except for Tom. The company promoted everyone except for Tom.)
Except (for) also shows that the main part of the sentence is not completely true.
Complete the following sentences using except/except for.
Canada is quite safe...
I like traveling...
English is difficult...
Work is interesting...
Controlled Practice 1
In some cases, except for and except cannot always replace each other. We cannot use except for before: to-infinitives, prepositions, that-clauses and bare infinitives. We can only use except.
Examples:
To-infinitives:
Ben doesn’t leave his house except to play football. (correct)
Ben doesn’t leave his house except for to play football. (incorrect)
Prepositions:
I have looked everywhere for the remote control except in the fridge. (correct)
I have looked everywhere for the remote control except for in the fridge. (incorrect)
That-clauses:
I wanted to go the party, except that I had to work. (correct)
I wanted to go the party, except for that I had to work. (incorrect)
Bare infinitives:
I do everything around the house except cook. (correct)
I do everything around the house except for cook. (incorrect) (Use "except" before... >>> 1. to-infinitive, 2. preposition, 3. that-clause, 4. bare infinitive) Decide why except is used in each of these sentences.
The professor seldom comes in on weekends except to grade final exams. (to-infinitive)
I have a telephone in every room of my house, except in the bathroom. (preposition)
We liked the house, except (that) it was way overpriced. (that-clause)
I didn't do anything this weekend except eat and sleep. (bare infinitive)
Please make sentences using except in its proper form.
prisoners/eat/sleep/couldn't
(The prisoners couldn't do anything except eat and sleep.)
Susan/sweater/loved/too small
visas/issued/everyday/passport office/holidays
didn't do anything/new employees/watch/learn
Language in Use 1
Please complete the following sentences.
For example:
(The lost child couldn't do anything... (cry)
The lost child couldn't do anything except cryfor his parents.).
Tom and I look exactly the same... (tall) >>> (except that he's taller than me.)
I work everyday... (Sundays)
The unhappy customer didn't do anything... (complain)
You can sit anywhere... (by the window)
I never do anything in the evenings... (relax)
Grammar 2
Let's look at the difference between except and besides.
(I like all kinds of food except for curry. Besides curry, I like tacos and spaghetti.)
How are these two sentences different?
("Besides" is a preposition (or adverb) meaning "in addition to".)
For example:
Besides Greece, I have also visited Hungary and Croatia.
In addition to Spain, I have also visited England and France.
Controlled Practice 2
Fill in the blank with besides or except, when necessary.
In all traffic violations, _____ illegal parking, the driver is given a breathanalyzer test.
Visitors are no allowed to stay for more than three days, _____ for travellers from EU countries and North America.
_____ hiring, the personnel department is also responsible for interviews and employee evaluations.
Leaving work early shouldn't be a problem, _____ some customers might call later in the afternoon.
_____ mining, Canada's other major industries are forestry and fishing.
Diego excels in all areas of his studies, _____ science, which he does poorly on.
_____ fluency, pronunciation is also important when speaking English.
If high import taxes were unfair, other countries _____ Italy would have complained.
Most countries will be participating in the Olympics, _____ those boycotting the games.