1. "Except" as a Preposition:
* No comma: When "except" acts as a preposition introducing a phrase, no comma is needed.
* Example: "Everyone went to the party except John."
* Here, "except John" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying "everyone."
2. "Except" as a Conjunction:
* Comma: When "except" acts as a conjunction joining two independent clauses, a comma is needed before it.
* Example: "I like all kinds of music, except country."
* Here, "I like all kinds of music" and "except country" are both independent clauses.
3. "Except" in Lists:
* Comma: When "except" is used in a list to introduce the final item, a comma is usually used before it.
* Example: "We ordered pizza, pasta, and salad, except for the garlic bread."
Key Point: The most important factor is whether "except" introduces a phrase or an independent clause. If it's a phrase, no comma. If it's an independent clause, a comma is needed.
Note: In some cases, commas can be used before "except" for stylistic clarity, even if it doesn't introduce an independent clause. However, this is less common and depends on the specific sentence.