Please advise regarding the following:

1) What is the proper usage of the preposition "except"?

2) Specifically, when or are "except" and "except for" ever used properly in a sentence?

3) Is "except for" preferable preceding a clause?

4) Please diagram sentences illustrating all relevant points.

Please reply promptly.

Thank You,

The President

I don't get it. I don't know why you bust a blood vessel shutting down the Senate in a closed-door session merely to get a promise that the Iraq intelligence investigation will be followed-up on, when none of you have implemented any of the recommendations from the voluminous 9/11 commission report.

I think you are just committee-happy and really don't give a crap about anything in the resulting reports except that which you can use for political fodder.

Quit wasting my time.

Signed,

The President

I noticed some of your research refers to a source known as "Wikipedia" which I am told is an on-line reference site which apparently anyone can edit.

If anybody on the web can add or delete information, then what is the reliability of this information?

Let me know if we need to take a field trip to the bookstore.

Signed,

The President

I'd like to introduce a new member of our team, Mr. Fred C. Dobbs, who will serve as presidential advisor.

Everyone please make him feel welcome, as Fred C. Dobbs ain't a guy who likes being taken advantage of.

Sincerely,

The President

Nice of you to jump up and take on the conservative right.

Too bad you couldn't take on the Iranians holding American hostages while you were in office.

Signed,

The Now President