Learn English – Equivalence of “A except that B.” and “Except that B, A.”

grammaticality

1: He is nice except that he is a little shy.

2: Except that he is a little shy, he is nice.

Are these sentences both correct? If so, are these two sentences identical?

Best Answer

I'd say they're questionable at a more complex level than pure syntax. Obviously, '[sentence A] except that [sentence B]', with punctuation adjusted as required, cannot be claimed to be non-syntactical – there is an example from AHD below. This usage of except that as a conjunction means

but for the fact that [= 'only' when used in this sense][a comma may be necessary] [Collins]

I would buy the suit, except that it costs too much. [AHD]

If the Collins definition is exhaustive, 'He is nice except that he is a little shy.' is wrong because 'He is nice were it not for the fact that he is a little shy.' is wrong. I'd prefer 'only' here, in its 'but there is a minor negative:' sense

He is nice, only he is a little shy.

And 'only' can't be fronted here. 'Although' could be.

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