meaning - Use of "save" or "save for" in sentences


Take the following example sentence:



There was nothing there save for the warmth of the immeasurable light.



Is this the proper use of save for? Is there ever a proper use of save for? Can someone explain to me the correct usage, if there is one, and possibly some etymology of this phrase?


Examples of other correct use would be appreciated, though not critical.



Answer



The definition of save in this example is other than : but, except.


This article gives a rather interesting discussion about when to use except/except for, and that applies equally to save/save for.


That article mentions one case where you would use the 'for' version:



when what is excluded is different from what is included



Examples cited:



Your essay is good except for the spelling.


All the compositions are good except John's.



It goes on with several other cases, so I guess the nutshell answer is: Both are correct in different situations, and the rules for figuring out which to use are fairly complex.


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