easy
Every marker worked except the green one.
What does Except mean?
Except usually means not including someone or something.
Dictionary definition
Not including a person or thing; also used to introduce the one fact that changes a statement, or formally as a verb meaning to exclude.
Example sentences
Except in a sentence
medium
I would ride my bike, except that the path is icy.
medium
The library is open every day except Sunday.
hard
The formal rule excepted emergency vehicles from the road closure.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice except in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Accept or except?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Accept
Accept means to willingly receive something or agree that it is true or allowed.
In a sentence Lena smiled and accepted the handmade card.
Except
Except usually means not including someone or something.
In a sentence Every marker worked except the green one.
Spot the difference Except usually means not including; accept is a verb meaning receive or agree. Except for can introduce the item left out, but except that introduces a whole limiting statement.
Which word fits?
Choose accept or except for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1Will you ___ a place on our reading team?
Check answer 1
accept — Accept means say yes to the offer of a place on the team.
2All the paper shapes are blue ___ the yellow triangle.
Check answer 2
except — Except leaves the yellow triangle out of the group of blue shapes.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
Write a sentence with exceptQuick practice
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Practice the meaning of Except
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does except mean in “Everyone answered except Rui”?
Except removes Rui from the group described by everyone.
Practice 2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: “The machine will ___ coins but not bills.”
The machine receives coins, so accept is correct. Except would mean not including.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses except as a conjunction?
Except that introduces the fact that limits the statement about the plan.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Except
Voice settings
Sounds like
ik · sept · strongest beat: sept
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordExcept.
Partpreposition, conjunction, verb.
MeaningExcept means Except usually means not including someone or something.
ExampleExample: Every marker worked except the green one.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ik · sept
- Strongest beat
- sept
- Ending
- sept
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on sept.
Your turn
Say Except
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
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Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced except.
Synonyms
Words like Except
excludingUse for leaving someone or something out of a group.
apart fromOften replaces except for when naming what is not included.
butCan replace except when introducing the one fact that limits a statement.
Antonyms
Opposite words
includingIn group or list contexts, including signals that an item belongs rather than being left out.
Synonym practice
Want to practice except synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Everyone except Leo chose the blue marker," then compare close word choices. Practice except synonyms.
Word family
Except word family
Base word
except
noun
exception
A person, thing, or case left out of a general rule or group.
adjective
excepted
Formal wording for something not included.
preposition
excepting
A more formal way to say not including.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Except
Hint for students
Look for a group or statement with one person, thing, or fact left out.
Common mix-up
Except usually means not including; accept is a verb meaning receive or agree. Except for can introduce the item left out, but except that introduces a whole limiting statement.
Try it in class or at home
Display four short lists and statements. Students circle what is excluded, label except as a preposition or conjunction, and rewrite one example with excluding or but.
Teacher prompt
Use the model sentence “All the doors were locked except one.” Ask students which item is included in the larger group and which item is left out.
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
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Learning activities
Practice Except and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice EXCEPT” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
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Sentence Builder
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