Except, but, excluding, barring

MyFriendIsAGoat · #1 (permalink) Sat May 03, 2008 9:13 am *Except, but, excluding, barring*

Hello.
Here are my questions for today. Smile

1) What's the difference between these words?
a) except
b) but
c) excluding
d) barring

2) Are these examples correct?
a) There was everybody except (for?) me at the party.
b) There was everybody but me at the party.
c) There was everybody excluding me at the party.
d) There was everybody barring me at the party.

3) Are there any other synonyms?

Nessie · #2 (permalink) Sat May 03, 2008 16:27 pm *Except, but, excluding, barring*

Hi MFIAG

Here is my take:

1) What's the difference between these words?
=> I think they mean the same (personal idea only)

2) Are these examples correct?
b) There was everybody but me at the party.
c) There was everybody excluding me at the party.
d) There was everybody barring me at the party.
=> these are correct

a) There was everybody except (for?) me at the party.
=> According to some grammar books in my country, "except" is used without "for", and "but" is used with "for", but according to others, it is vice versa, so I'm dumb now Razz