except and except for

[T H Cha]

Dear teacher.

Q. What is the difference between "except" and "except for" ?

Some say they are almost same meaning, but as far as I concerned there is a little different meanig between them.
please let me know.

I'd appreciate your answer.

[Alan]

Yes, they are very similar, but differ in that 'except for' normally introduces an independent adverbial (usually standing at the beginning of a sentence), while 'except' normally introduces an adjectival modifier to an indefinite pronoun (and therefore cannot stand at the beginning of a sentence). Thus we would say,

Except for his drinking, he's a good person.

but

I would do anything except that.