Meaning & use
except a subordinating conjunction
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
A question about grammar asking whether the word 'except' functions as a subordinating conjunction.
Grammar: Used as a direct question or topic for grammar study; the answer is yes in certain uses.
Patterns
- Is except a subordinating conjunction?
- except as a subordinating conjunction
The teacher asked, 'Is except a subordinating conjunction?'
In the sentence 'Everyone left except John stayed,' 'except' acts as a subordinating conjunction.
Many learners wonder whether 'except' can introduce a clause like 'except that...'.
Common combinations
- except that
- I would go, except that I have to work.
- except for
- The room was empty except for one chair.
- except when
- She never complains except when she's tired.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unless
- Unless means 'if not', while except introduces an exception; they are not interchangeable.
Commonly confused: except a subordinating conjunction or besides?
except a subordinating conjunction vs besides
Besides means 'in addition to', while except means 'not including'.
Practice
In which sentence does 'except' work as a subordinating conjunction?
Choose one answer.
'Except that' introduces a clause (she was ill), making 'except' a subordinating conjunction. The other options use 'except' as a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “except a subordinating conjunction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.