Are you tired of confusing apart and except? These two words may sound similar, but they have distinct meanings. Let’s dive into the differences between apart vs except and how to use them correctly.
Apart is an adverb that means separated by a distance or time. For example, “I am standing apart from my friends to maintain social distancing.” Apart can also mean to be distinct or separate from something else. For example, “The blue car stands apart from the other cars in the parking lot.”
On the other hand, except is a preposition that means excluding or with the exception of. For example, “Everyone was invited to the party except for John.” Except can also be used as a conjunction to introduce a clause that indicates an exception. For example, “I like all fruits except for bananas.”
It’s important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion in your writing. In the following sections, we will explore the different ways you can use apart and except in sentences.
Define Apart
When something is “apart,” it means that it is physically separated or distant from something else. For example, two buildings can be apart from each other, or a person can be standing apart from a group. The word “apart” can also be used to describe a state of being separate or distinct from something else. For instance, a person’s thoughts can be apart from their actions, or two ideas can be considered apart from each other.
Define Except
The word “except” is used to indicate that something or someone is excluded from a particular group or category. It can also be used to show that something is not included in a statement or list. For example, if a store is closed on all days except for Sundays, it means that it is closed on all other days of the week. Another example is the phrase “everyone except for John,” which means that everyone is included except for John.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct word in a sentence can make a huge difference in the meaning of the sentence. The words “apart” and “except” are two commonly confused words in the English language. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.
How To Use “Apart” In A Sentence
The word “apart” is used to indicate a separation or distance between two or more things. It is often used to describe physical distance, but can also be used to describe emotional distance or a difference in opinion. Here are some examples of how to use “apart” in a sentence:
- She lives apart from her family.
- The two buildings are ten feet apart.
- His beliefs set him apart from the rest of the group.
It is important to note that “apart” is often used in conjunction with the preposition “from”. This is because “apart” implies a separation or distance between two things.
How To Use “Except” In A Sentence
The word “except” is used to indicate an exclusion or exception to a rule or statement. It is often used to describe something that is not included in a list or group. Here are some examples of how to use “except” in a sentence:
- Everyone was invited to the party except for John.
- I like all fruits except for bananas.
- She works every day except Sunday.
It is important to note that “except” is often used in conjunction with the preposition “for”. This is because “except” implies an exclusion or exception to a rule or statement.
More Examples Of Apart & Except Used In Sentences
In order to gain a better understanding of the proper usage of the words apart and except, it is helpful to review additional examples of each word used in different contexts. Below are several examples of using apart in a sentence, followed by several examples of using except in a sentence.
Examples Of Using Apart In A Sentence:
- She set the books apart on the shelf to keep them organized.
- The two friends grew apart after they moved to different cities.
- He was forced to live apart from his family while he served in the military.
- The storm tore the roof apart, leaving the house exposed to the elements.
- She felt apart from the rest of the group because of her different beliefs.
- The two teams were tied for first place, but one win set them apart.
- The artist used bold colors to make the subject stand apart from the background.
- She tore the page apart in frustration after making a mistake.
- The teacher asked the students to work apart from each other to prevent cheating.
- He kept his personal life apart from his professional life to maintain boundaries.
Examples Of Using Except In A Sentence:
- Everyone was invited to the party except for John, who had to work.
- The restaurant serves all types of food except for seafood.
- She liked all the dresses in the store except for the one with the ruffles.
- He finished all of his homework except for the last math problem.
- The company hired several new employees except for the one who failed the background check.
- She ate everything on her plate except for the green beans.
- The store was having a sale on everything except for electronics.
- He listened to all kinds of music except for heavy metal.
- The park was open to everyone except for dogs, which were not allowed.
- She read all of the books in the series except for the last one, which she hadn’t bought yet.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using apart and except, many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, this is incorrect and can lead to confusion in written and spoken communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Apart” When You Mean “Except”
One common mistake is using “apart” when you actually mean “except”. For example, saying “Everyone was invited to the party apart from John” is incorrect. The correct way to say this is “Everyone was invited to the party except John”.
This mistake happens because “apart” is often used to mean “separate from” or “not connected to”, while “except” means “excluding” or “not including”. It’s important to use the right word to convey the intended meaning.
Using “Except For” When You Mean “Apart From”
Another mistake is using “except for” when you actually mean “apart from”. For example, saying “I like all fruits except for apples” is incorrect. The correct way to say this is “I like all fruits apart from apples”.
This mistake happens because “except for” is often used to mean “excluding” or “leaving out”, while “apart from” means “other than” or “in addition to”. Again, it’s important to use the right word to convey the intended meaning.
Using “Apart” To Mean “A Part”
Finally, another common mistake is using “apart” to mean “a part”. For example, saying “I took the car apart to fix the engine” is incorrect. The correct way to say this is “I took the car apart to fix a part of the engine”.
This mistake happens because “apart” is often used to mean “separate” or “into pieces”, while “a part” means “a piece” or “a component”. It’s important to use the right phrase to accurately convey what you mean.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings of both “apart” and “except”. Here are some tips:
- Double-check your usage of “apart” and “except” to make sure you are using the right word in the right context.
- Use examples to help clarify the meaning of each word.
- Read over your writing to ensure that you have used the correct word.
By taking the time to understand the difference between “apart” and “except”, you can avoid these common mistakes and communicate more clearly and effectively.
Context Matters
Choosing between the words “apart” and “except” can be tricky, as their usage depends on the context in which they are used. In some cases, the two words can be used interchangeably, while in others, using the wrong word can completely change the meaning of the sentence.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “apart” and “except” might change:
- Negative Connotation: When the context of a sentence is negative, “apart” is often used to denote separation or disconnection. For instance, “The company was falling apart” implies that the company was disintegrating or breaking up. On the other hand, “The company was thriving, except for one department” implies that everything was going well, except for one specific area.
- Exclusion: When the context is about exclusion, “except” is often used. For instance, “Everyone is coming to the party except for John” implies that John is excluded from the group that is coming to the party. However, “Everyone is coming to the party apart from John” implies that John is not physically present at the party, but he is not necessarily excluded from the group.
- Physical Separation: When the context is about physical separation, “apart” is often used. For instance, “The two buildings are 10 miles apart” implies a physical distance between the two buildings. However, “The two buildings are 10 miles except for a small road that connects them” implies that there is a small road that connects the two buildings, but the distance between them is otherwise 10 miles.
As you can see from these examples, the choice between “apart” and “except” depends on the context in which they are used. It’s important to understand the nuances of each word in order to use them correctly and convey the intended meaning of your sentence.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using apart and except are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are a few examples:
1. Apart Can Be Used As An Adverb Of Place
While apart is usually used as a preposition, it can also function as an adverb of place, meaning “separately” or “at a distance”. In this case, it is not interchangeable with except.
Example: The two buildings were set apart from each other.
2. Except Can Be Used As A Verb
While except is primarily used as a preposition or conjunction, it can also function as a verb meaning “to exclude” or “to leave out”. In this case, it is not interchangeable with apart.
Example: I can’t help but except him from my plans.
3. Apart Can Be Used In Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions that use apart, and in these cases, it may not be interchangeable with except.
- Take apart: to disassemble something
- Set apart: to distinguish or separate something
- Fall apart: to break down or fail
Example: The old car fell apart on the highway.
4. Except Can Be Used In Legal Language
In legal language, except can be used to mean “excluding” or “not counting”. In this case, it may not be interchangeable with apart.
Example: All employees are eligible for the bonus, except for those who have been with the company for less than six months.
By understanding these exceptions, you can use apart and except with greater precision and accuracy.
Practice Exercises
Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between apart and except, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Below are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:
Exercise 1:
Fill in the blanks with either apart or except:
- ________ from a few minor spelling errors, the essay was well-written.
- She decided to live ________ from her family for a while.
- He had no choice ________ to accept the job offer.
- ________ from the fact that it was raining, the picnic was a success.
- I cleaned the entire house ________ from the kitchen.
Answer Key:
- Except
- Apart
- Except
- Apart
- Apart
Exercise 2:
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the underlined word with either apart or except:
- Everyone was present for the meeting apart from John.
- The store was closed on Sundays, except for holidays.
- She couldn’t find anything apart from a few coins in her pocket.
- All of the students passed the test, except for one.
- The two friends decided to live apart after having an argument.
Answer Key:
- Except
- Except
- Apart
- Except
- Apart
By completing these exercises, you should now have a better understanding of how to use apart and except in sentences. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be using these words like a pro!
Conclusion
After reading this article, it should be clear that the proper use of “apart” and “except” is important for clear communication and effective writing. Here are the key takeaways:
Key Takeaways
- “Apart” is used to describe physical separation or distance, while “except” is used to exclude something.
- It’s important to pay attention to context when deciding which word to use.
- Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.
- Proofreading and editing can help catch any mistakes in word choice.
Remember, language is a powerful tool, and using it correctly can make a big difference in how your message is received. Keep learning about grammar and language use to continue improving your writing skills.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.