Expressing “except” With 除了……（以外），都

除了[NP/VP]（以外），（Obj.）+ Subj.+ 都 + Verb Phrase 

Expect... all...，apart from

This structure indicates that except the part being mentioned, all the others in a specific scope are the same in a certain way.  Fortunately, this functions super super similarly to English.  The only weird part is that we often wrap the topic (noun phrase or verb phrase) in a grammar sandwich with 除了chúle....以外yǐwài.

HOWEVER, “以外yǐwài”can be left out.  😌

Qùnián xiàtiān, chúle lǎobǎn, wǒmen dōu qù zhōngguó lǚyóule. 去年夏天，除了老板，我们都去中国旅游了。 Last summer, we all went on a trip to China, except for the boss.

Zài shànghǎi, chúle wǒ lǎogōng yǐwài, qítā rén wǒ dōu bù rènshí. 在上海，除了我老公以外，其他人我都不认识。 I didn't know anyone in Shanghai, except my husband.

Chúle xiāngjiāo, shénme shuǐguǒ wǒ dōu xǐhuān chī. 除了香蕉，什么水果我都喜欢吃。 I like to eat any fruits, except bananas.

NOTE: "什么...都" is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything". 

Because of 都, we move our object forward. Similar with the 把 grammar. We emphasize object instead of the verb. 

For example:

我今天没有吃东西。Emphasizing 没有吃。

我今天什么都没有吃。 Emphasizing "anything"

什么+(noun)+都+verb

Evan lǎoshī shénme dōu zhīdào. Evan 老师 什么都知道。 Teacher Evan knows everything.

Evan lǎoshī shénme dōngxī dōu bùxiǎng chī. Evan 老师 什么 东西 都 不想吃。 Teacher Evan doesn't want to eat anything.