The structure 除了…以外
You can say “except” using the structure 除了…以外 or its parts. Let's look at how to use them.
The full structure 除了…以外
We can express two different meanings with the structure 除了…以外 
. These meanings are most often indicated by adverbs that are stated in the second part of the sentence.
. These meanings are most often indicated by adverbs that are stated in the second part of the sentence.The meaning “except”
The first meaning of the structure 除了…以外 is: besides "A", all the others have a common attribute or feature.
Pay attention
We often use the adverb 都 after the subject in the second clause.
after the subject in the second clause.Scheme
除了
A
以外
B
都
common attribute/feature
for all B
Examples
除了他以外，其他学生都回答错了
All the other students answered wrong except for him.
chú le tā yǐwài, qítā xuéshēng dōu huídá cuò le
除了饭以外，她什么都不会做
She doesn't know how to cook anything except rice
chú le chǎofàn yǐwài, tā shénme dōu bú huì zuò
The meaning “besides”
The second meaning of the structure 除了…以外 is: besides "A," "B" also has some feature/attribute.
Pay attention
We usually use the adverbs 也 , 还 or 又 "also" before the predicate in the second clause.
, 还 or 又 "also" before the predicate in the second clause.Scheme
除了
A
以外
B
还/也/又
additional attribute/feature
Examples
除了李先生以外，谁也不知道这件事
Except for Mr. Lee, no one knows about this
chú le lǐ xiānshēng yǐwài, shéi yě bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì
This structure can also describe features of the same subject. In this case it will have the meaning: someone has the feature “A” in addition to “B”.
We can state the subject either at the beginning of the sentence before 除了 or in the second part of the sentence before 也, 还 or 又.
Scheme
subject
除了
A
以外
(subject)
还/也/又
B
Examples
除了中文以外，他还学过德文
In addition to Chinese, he studied German
chú le zhōngwén yǐwài, tā hái xué guò déwén
除了在家里喝的红酒，我又喝了四杯啤酒
In addition to the wine I drank at home, I drank four more beers.
chú le zài jiā lǐ hē de hóngjiǔ yǐwài, wǒ yòu hē le sì bēi píjiǔ
除了 can be shortened to 除 and 以外 to 外.
Examples
除装货外，禁止停车
No parking except for loading
chú zhuānghuò wài, jìnzhǐ tíngchē
The structure 除了…之外
Pay attention
We should use the structure 除了…之外 instead of 除了…以外 in formal speech.
instead of 除了…以外 in formal speech.Examples
除了衣服之外，我们工厂还生产鞋子
In addition to clothes, our factory also produces shoes
chú le yīfú zhīwài, wǒmen gōngchǎng hái shēngchǎn xiézi
除了你之外，我一无所有
I have no one else but you
chú le nǐ zhīwài, wǒ yī wú suǒyǒu
除他之外，全都出席了
Everyone attended except for him
chú tā zhīwài, quándōu chūxí le
In written speech, we can also use the parenthetical phrase 除此之外 . It is most often stated at the beginning of a sentence and separated by a comma.
. It is most often stated at the beginning of a sentence and separated by a comma.
Examples
除此之外，就没有什么好办法了
Besides that, there is other no good way
chúcǐ zhī wài, jiù méi yǒu shénme hǎo bànfǎ le
除此之外，我认为她的论点还些缺陷
In addition, I think her argument has some flaws
chúcǐ zhī wài, wǒ rènwéi tā de lùndiǎn hái xiē quēxiàn
How to use 除了 and 以外 separately
除了 and 以外 can be omitted from the structure without changing its meaning.
Examples
除了德国，我们也想去美国
Besides Germany, we also want to go to America
chú le déguó, wǒmen yě xiǎng qù měiguó
国庆节以外，中国还有什么节日？
What other holidays are there in China besides the National Day?
guóqìngjié yǐwài, zhōngguó hái yǒu shénme jiérì
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