Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering ～を除いて (wo nozoite): Japanese Grammar for Exceptions (JLPT N2)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Except for, excluding, with the exception of.

🎯 Primary Function

To specify an item or group that is an exception to a general statement.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + を除いて (Noun + wo nozoite)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal announcements, official documents, and precise statements.

😊 Informal Situations

Can be used, but alternatives like 「～以外 (igai)」 or 「～のほか (no hoka)」 might be more common in very casual speech.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese, especially in formal or academic texts, contracts, and rules.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken language, particularly when precise exclusion is needed, but might feel slightly more formal than some other expressions.

💡 Common Applications

Stating rules or conditions with specific exceptions.
Used to define a general rule that applies to everything *except* a particular element.
Example: 全ての従業員は参加必須です。部長を除いて。(All employees must participate, with the exception of the manager.)
Describing a collection or group where one member is different.
When discussing a set of items or people, and one stands out by not fitting the general description.
Example: 週末は毎日働いている。日曜日を除いて。(I work every day on the weekend, except for Sunday.)
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📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent, especially in formal or explanatory contexts.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate to advanced. N2 learners should be comfortable with its usage.
Example Sentences
彼は家族全員が賛成したのに、一人だけその計画に反対した。彼を除いて、全員が賛成です。
Although his whole family agreed, he was the only one who opposed the plan. Everyone agreed, except for him.
この地域では、一部の特別な場合を除いて、喫煙は禁止されています。
Smoking is prohibited in this area, except for some special cases.
全ての質問に答えましたが、最後の問題を除いては自信がありません。
I answered all the questions, but I’m not confident in any of them except for the last problem.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Particle 「を」 is essential.
Always use the particle 「を」 before 「除いて」 to mark the noun as the object being excluded.
Example: 子供を除いて (except for children) – NOT 子供は除いて.
Can be followed by a clause or sentence.
「～を除いて」 acts as a phrase that modifies the rest of the sentence, indicating an exception.
Example: 私を除いて、誰もその事実を知らなかった。(No one knew that fact, except for me.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Omitting the particle 「を」.
✅ Always use 「を」 before 「除いて」.
Without 「を」, the phrase is grammatically incorrect or changes meaning.
❌ Confusing with 「～以外」 or 「～のほか」 in all contexts.
✅ While often interchangeable, 「～を除いて」 tends to be more formal and emphasizes the *act* of exclusion.
「～以外」 simply states what is *not* included. 「～を除いて」 specifically points out what has been *taken out* or *set aside* from a group.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly formal. It’s suitable for most situations requiring clarity about exceptions.
Social Situations: Used in situations where precision is valued, such as explaining rules, conditions, or formal arrangements.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations for this grammatical pattern.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～を除いて vs. ～以外 (igai)
「～を除いて」 often implies an an action of exclusion or selection. 「～以外」 simply means “other than” or “besides.”
When to use: Use 「～を除いて」 when you want to explicitly state that something is taken *out* of a group or consideration. Use 「～以外」 when simply stating what falls outside a category.
～を除いて vs. ～のほか (no hoka)
「～のほか」 can mean “besides” or “in addition to,” or “other than.” It can sometimes be used to mean “except for,” but 「～を除いて」 is more direct for “excluding.”
When to use: 「～を除いて」 is more precise for strict exclusion. 「～のほか」 has broader meanings, including “in addition to.”
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📝 Conjugation Notes

「除いて」 is the て-form of the verb 「除く (nozoku)」 (to remove, to exclude). It connects directly to a noun with 「を」.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

「除いて (nozoite)」 is pronounced clearly with a slight emphasis on the “zo” sound.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「除く (nozoku)」 as “to remove,” so 「～を除いて」 means “removing ~,” or “except for ~.” Visualize taking something out of a box.

Vocabulary List
従業員
jūgyōin
employee
部長
buchō
department manager
参加
sanka
participation
必須
hissu
mandatory, essential
地域
chiiki
area, region
喫煙
kitsuen
smoking
禁止
prohibition
Kanji List
除
のぞ (nozo), ジョ (jo)
to remove, exclude
員
イン (in)
member
務
ム (mu)
duty, service
部
ブ (bu)
department, section
長
チョウ (chō)
chief, long
参
サン (san)
participate, visit
加
カ (ka)
add, join
必
ヒツ (hitsu)
certain, inevitable
須
ス (su)
must, necessity
地
チ (chi), ジ (ji)
ground, earth
域
イキ (iki)
region, area
Practice Exercises
このクーポンは（　　　）、全ての商品にご利用いただけます。
子供を除いて
食料品を除いて
時間を除いて
以外
緊急時を除いて、（　　　）携帯電話の使用は禁止です。
学校を除いて
ここを除いて
その場所を除いて
教室を除いて
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