Are you confused about when to use “except” and “exempt”? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll clarify the difference between except and exempt, so you can use them correctly in your writing.
Let’s define the terms. Except means to exclude or leave out. For example, “Everyone is going to the party except for John.” Exempt, on the other hand, means to be free from an obligation or requirement. For example, “The new law exempts small businesses from paying taxes.”
So, when it comes to choosing between except and exempt, think about whether you’re talking about excluding something or someone, or if you’re talking about being free from an obligation or requirement.
Define Except
Except is a preposition that is used to exclude or leave out something or someone. It is often used to indicate an exclusion from a group or a set. In other words, it is used to indicate that something is not included in a particular category or group. For example, “Everyone is going to the party except for John.”
Define Exempt
Exempt is an adjective that is used to describe something or someone that is excluded or exempted from a particular rule, law, or obligation. It is often used to indicate that something or someone is not subject to a particular requirement or restriction. For example, “The new law exempts small businesses from paying taxes.”
Exempt can also be used as a verb, meaning to free or release someone or something from a particular obligation or duty. For example, “The doctor exempted her from the physical activity due to her injury.”
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, using the right words in a sentence can make a big difference in the clarity and accuracy of your message. Two commonly confused words are except and exempt. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.
How To Use “Except” In A Sentence
The word except is often used to indicate an exclusion or exception. It is commonly used to show that something does not apply to a specific situation or person. Here are some examples:
- All of the students passed the test except for John.
- I like all types of fruit except for bananas.
In these examples, except is used to exclude John from the group of students who passed the test and to exclude bananas from the group of fruits that the speaker likes.
Except can also be used as a conjunction to introduce a clause that shows an exception. For example:
- I would go to the party, except that I have to work.
In this example, the speaker is indicating that they would like to go to the party, but they cannot because they have to work.
How To Use “Exempt” In A Sentence
The word exempt is often used to indicate that something is not subject to a particular rule or requirement. It is commonly used in legal and financial contexts. Here are some examples:
- Charitable organizations are exempt from paying taxes.
- The new law exempts small businesses from certain regulations.
In these examples, exempt is used to indicate that charitable organizations and small businesses are not required to pay taxes or follow certain regulations.
Exempt can also be used as a verb to indicate that someone or something has been given an exemption. For example:
- The doctor exempted me from physical activity due to my injury.
In this example, the doctor has given the speaker an exemption from physical activity due to their injury.
By understanding the proper usage of except and exempt, you can communicate your message more clearly and accurately.
More Examples Of Except & Exempt Used In Sentences
Understanding the difference between except and exempt is crucial for clear communication. Here are some more examples of how these two words can be used in sentences:
Examples Of Using Except In A Sentence
- Everyone is going to the party except for John.
- I like all fruits except for bananas.
- The store is open every day except on Sundays.
- She knows how to play all instruments except for the drums.
- He ate everything on his plate except for the broccoli.
- I have read all the books in the series except for the last one.
- She can speak several languages except for Chinese.
- He is good at all sports except for basketball.
- The hotel has all amenities except for a swimming pool.
- They invited everyone to the meeting except for the interns.
Examples Of Using Exempt In A Sentence
- The new law exempts small businesses from paying taxes.
- She is exempt from jury duty because she is a doctor.
- Children under 12 are exempt from paying admission fees.
- The company is exempt from certain regulations due to its size.
- He is exempt from military service due to his medical condition.
- The building is exempt from property taxes because it is a church.
- People over 65 are exempt from paying tolls on the highway.
- These products are exempt from sales tax in certain states.
- Employees who work less than 30 hours a week are exempt from health insurance benefits.
- Some countries are exempt from visa requirements when traveling to certain destinations.
By using except and exempt correctly, you can avoid confusion and ensure that your message is clear and accurate.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Many people tend to use the words “except” and “exempt” interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “except” and “exempt.”
Using “Except” When “Exempt” Should Be Used
One common mistake is using “except” when “exempt” should be used. “Exempt” means something is excluded or freed from an obligation or requirement. For example, “The organization is exempt from paying taxes.” On the other hand, “except” means excluding or not including. For example, “Everyone was invited to the party except for John.”
Using “except” instead of “exempt” can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. For instance, saying “The organization is except from paying taxes” would mean the opposite of what is intended.
Using “Exempt” When “Except” Should Be Used
Another common mistake is using “exempt” when “except” should be used. “Except” is used to indicate a case or situation that is different from the one being mentioned. For example, “I like all fruits except for bananas.” On the other hand, “exempt” means something is excluded or freed from an obligation or requirement. For example, “The company is exempt from following this regulation.”
Using “exempt” instead of “except” can also lead to confusion and misinterpretation. For instance, saying “I like all fruits exempt for bananas” would mean the opposite of what is intended.
Tips To Avoid Confusion
To avoid confusion and miscommunication, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always double-check the meaning of the word before using it.
- Use “except” when indicating a case or situation that is different from the one being mentioned.
- Use “exempt” when indicating something is excluded or freed from an obligation or requirement.
- When in doubt, look up the definitions of both words and use the one that best fits the context.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “except” and “exempt,” context is key. Both words are used to indicate exclusions or exceptions, but they have different connotations and are used in different situations.
Except
“Except” is typically used as a preposition or conjunction to indicate exclusion or exception. It is often used to introduce a clause that specifies something that is not included in a larger group or category. For example:
- All of the students passed the test, except for John.
- I like all kinds of fruit, except for bananas.
In both of these examples, “except” is used to indicate that something is excluded from a larger group. In the first example, John is excluded from the group of students who passed the test. In the second example, bananas are excluded from the group of fruits that the speaker likes.
Exempt
“Exempt,” on the other hand, is typically used as an adjective to indicate that something is excluded from a particular requirement or obligation. It is often used in a legal or regulatory context. For example:
- Employees who work fewer than 30 hours per week are exempt from the company’s health insurance policy.
- Some nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying certain taxes.
In both of these examples, “exempt” is used to indicate that something is excluded from a particular requirement or obligation. In the first example, employees who work fewer than 30 hours per week are excluded from the requirement to enroll in the company’s health insurance policy. In the second example, certain nonprofit organizations are excluded from the obligation to pay certain taxes.
It’s important to note that the choice between “except” and “exempt” can depend on the context in which they are used. In some cases, either word could be used to convey a similar meaning. For example:
- All of the students passed the test, except for John. John was exempt from taking the test due to a medical condition.
In this example, both “except” and “exempt” could be used to convey the idea that John did not take the test. However, “except” emphasizes the fact that John was excluded from the group of students who passed the test, while “exempt” emphasizes the fact that John was not required to take the test due to a medical condition.
Exceptions To The Rules
Although the rules for using “except” and “exempt” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they may not apply. Below are some of these exceptions, along with explanations and examples for each case:
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, “except” and “exempt” may have specific meanings that differ from their general usage. For example, in tax law, “exempt” refers to income or property that is not subject to taxation, while “except” is used to indicate items that are not included in the calculation of taxable income. Similarly, in contract law, “except” may be used to specify certain terms or conditions that are not included in the agreement.
2. Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions that use “except” or “except for” in a way that does not follow the standard rules. For example, the phrase “I couldn’t help but” is often used to mean “I couldn’t resist,” but technically it should be “I couldn’t help except.” Another example is the phrase “all but,” which means “almost” or “nearly,” as in “I was all but certain that I would get the job.”
3. Regional Variations
In some regions or dialects, the rules for using “except” and “exempt” may be slightly different. For example, in British English, “except” is sometimes used as a preposition to mean “but,” as in “I have no choice except to go.” In American English, this usage is considered incorrect, and “except” should only be used as a conjunction.
4. Technical Terminology
In certain technical fields, such as computer programming or engineering, “except” and “exempt” may have specialized meanings that differ from their general usage. For example, in programming, “except” is often used to indicate an error or exception in the code, while “exempt” may be used to refer to certain types of data or processes that are excluded from a program’s operations.
Overall, while the rules for using “except” and “exempt” are generally straightforward, it is important to be aware of these exceptions in order to use these words correctly in all contexts.
Practice Exercises
To help readers improve their understanding and use of except and exempt in sentences, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
| 1. Everyone was invited to the party, ________ for John who was sick. | ________ |
| 2. The new law will ________ small businesses from paying certain taxes. | ________ |
| 3. I love all fruits, ________ for bananas. | ________ |
| 4. All of the students passed the test, ________ for Timmy. | ________ |
Answer Key:
- except
- exempt
- except
- except
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to fill in the blank.
- The new law will ________ small businesses from paying certain taxes.
- a) except
- b) exempt
- a) except
- b) exempt
- a) except
- b) exempt
- a) except
- b) exempt
Answer Key:
- b
- a
- a
- a
Conclusion
After reading this article, it is clear that the words “except” and “exempt” are often confused and misused. However, by understanding their definitions and proper usage, you can avoid making common grammatical errors.
Key Takeaways
- Except is a preposition that means “not including” or “other than.”
- Exempt is an adjective that means “free from” or “not subject to.”
- Except is used to exclude something or someone from a group or statement, while exempt is used to indicate that something or someone is not subject to a certain rule or requirement.
- Be careful when using these words in writing and speaking, as they can easily be confused.
Remember that proper grammar and language use are important in both personal and professional settings. By continuing to learn and improve your language skills, you can communicate more effectively and avoid common mistakes.
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.