除…外 for “Except” and “Besides”
Use the written 除…外 to leave something out with 都, or to add something with 还 and 也.
句型
除 + noun + 外 / 以外 / 之外，… 都 (except) / 还, 也 (besides)…
The second half decides it: 都 leaves the item out, 还 adds it in.
除周一外，博物馆每天都开门。
When to use 除…外 for “Except” and “Besides”
除 is the written form of 除了 and usually closes with 外, 以外 or 之外: 除周一外. The phrase goes at the start of the sentence or right after the subject, and the second half decides the meaning: with 都 the item is left out (“except”), with 还 or 也 it is added (“besides”). 除周一外，每天都开门 means “open every day except Monday”.
除张老师以外，其他老师都参加了会议。
All the other teachers attended the meeting except Mr. Zhang.
除英语外，她还会说日语。
Besides English, she can also speak Japanese.
这次活动除学生外，也欢迎家长参加。
Besides students, parents are also welcome at this event.
除此之外，你还有别的问题吗？
Apart from this, do you have any other questions?
常见误区
- In written style close 除 with 外: 除周末外，我每天都上班, not 除周末，我每天都上班.
- Don’t use 都 when you mean “besides”: 除英语外，她还会说日语, not 除英语外，她都会说日语.
- Put 除…外 at the start, not the end: 除周末外，我每天都上班, not 我每天都上班除周末外.
针对性练习
先练这个句式，再继续往下看。