tranne

Tranne is an Italian word that functions mainly as a preposition meaning “except” or “excluding.” It is used to single out the element that is not part of a larger group or statement. In practice, it typically precedes the element that is excluded, such as a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

Common usage patterns include:

- Tutti presenti, tranne Maria. (Everyone is here, except Maria.)

- Nessuno, tranne te, ha saputo la verità. (No one except you knew the truth.)

- Ho letto tutto il libro, tranne l’ultima pagina. (I read the whole book except the last page.)

Nuances and alternatives:

Tranne is widely used in spoken Italian and informal writing. In more formal or literary contexts, eccetto is often preferred as a synonym, and salvo can appear in legal or formulaic language (as in “salvo casi” meaning “except in cases”). While the two terms are largely interchangeable in everyday speech, choice of word can affect tone and register.

Etymology and scope:

The exact origin of tranne is not always specified in concise references, but it is an established part of standard Italian with usage dating back to medieval and early modern periods. Its primary function remains to mark exclusions, with flexibility across pronouns, proper names, and noun phrases.

See also:

eccetto, salvo.