1
It is a good book except the first two chapters.
It is a good book except for the first two chapters.
Except and except for mean ‘not including’.
After words such as all, every, everything, everybody, nothing and nobody, we can use either except or except for: ‘Everybody came except (for) John.’
When we describe something and then mention one part that is different, use except for: ‘The book was good except for the first two chapters.’ ‘The room was empty except for one chair.’
See EXCEPT FOR
2
He never does anything except annoying me.
He never does anything except annoy me.
After the verb do, use except + infinitive without to: does nothing except annoy me.
I’m not good at anything except to draw.
I’m not good at anything except drawing.
After a preposition such as at, use the -ing form: good at drawing.
The verb form after except depends on the words before it: ‘I don’t want anything except to win.’ ‘I’m not interested in anything except reading.’