① 일반적인 사실을 진술하는 문장 뒤에 예외라는 것을 나타내기 위해 except나 except for를 쓴다. all, every no, everything, anything, anybody, nowhere, whole 등의 단어가 온 문장 뒤에 자주 쓰인다.
He ate everything on his plate except (for) the beans.
He ate the whole meal, except (for) the beans.
② 일반적인 사실을 진술하는 문장 외에는 except for만 사용한다.
I've cleaned the house except for the bathroom.
I've cleaned the house except the bathroom.(*)
The house was quiet except for the noise of Louise typing.
You couldn't hear anything except (for) the noise of Louise typing.
③ 전치사나 접속사 앞에서는 except를 쓴다.
It's the same everywhere except in Scotland.
He's good-looking except when he smiles.
④ 동사 앞에도 except를 쓴다. 댓구를 이루는 것의 품사와 일치시킨다.
He does nothing except eat all day.(does....eat)
She is not interested in anything except skiing.(anything...skiing)
