[Grammar] except and only

[raymondaliasapollyon]

Hi,


Are "except" and "only" interchangeable in the following?


Liz would have run, except/only that she didn’t want to appear to be in a hurry.


I'd appreciate your help.

 

[Yankee]

Both would work in AmE.

 

[Tarheel]

Hi,


Are "except" and "only" interchangeable in the following?


Liz would have run, except/only that she didn’t want to appear to be in a hurry.


I'd appreciate your help.

Perhaps:

Liz would have run, except she didn't want to appear to be in a hurry.

(She was in a hurry, but she didn't want to seem to be in a hurry.)

 

[GoesStation]

Are "except" and "only" interchangeable in the following?


Liz would have run, except/only that she didn’t want to appear to be in a hurry.

No. "Only" is not possible.

 

[raymondaliasapollyon]

No. "Only" is not possible.

How about "I'd be happy to do it for you, only I'm busy right now"?

 

[Tdol]

If you took that out, only would work for me.

 

[Tarheel]

How about "I'd be happy to do it for you, only I'm busy right now"?

OK, but I'd be much more likely to use but.

 

[GoesStation]

How about "I'd be happy to do it for you, only I'm busy right now"?

It works for me.