を除いて【をのぞいて】

を除いて means "except for," "with the exception of," or "excluding." It is used to single out one or more items from a group and state that the rest of the group shares a certain characteristic or condition. The noun before をのぞいて除いて is the item being excluded.

Basic usage

The pattern is straightforward: Noun + を除いて + statement about the rest. The excluded item is marked with を, and のぞいて除いて is the te-form of the verb のぞく除く (to exclude/remove).

Formal variations

を除いて is fairly formal and is commonly found in written language, announcements, rules, and business contexts. There are several related forms:

• を除いては – adds the topic particle は for slight emphasis on the exception:

  このへや部屋をのぞいては除いては、すべてのへや部屋がそうじ掃除ずみ済みです。

  With the exception of this room, all rooms have been cleaned.

• を除き – a more concise written form (conjunctive form of 除く):

  いちぶ一部のちいき地域をのぞき除き、ぜんこく全国でほうそう放送されます。

  It will be broadcast nationwide, excluding some regions.

• を除いた + Noun – used as a noun modifier:

  かのじょ彼女をのぞいた除いためんばあメンバーではなしあった話し合った。

  The members, excluding her, discussed it.

Comparison with ～以外

いがい以外 is another common way to say "except" and is more flexible in casual speech. **を除いて** tends to sound more formal and deliberate, often implying a conscious act of exclusion, whereas いがい以外 simply marks something as outside a group.

Compare: たなか田中さんいがい以外、だれ誰もしらなかった知らなかった。 (same meaning, slightly more casual)