Fixed pattern “除了……（以外），……都/还/也……”
Meaning
除了……（以外） is used when we exclude one person or thing from a group and then talk about everyone or everything else.
It can also be used to add another person, thing, or action.
In English:
以外 (yǐwài) can often be omitted after 除了.
1. “除了……，都……” — “Except…, everyone/all…”
Structure
都 means that the statement applies to all the others.
So the meaning is: I am the exception; everyone else is using their phone.
2. “除了……，还/也……” — “Besides…, also/another…”
This pattern is used to add something else, rather than simply saying that something is excluded.
In English:
Structure
3. The Difference Between 都 and 还/也
This is the most important distinction.
都 → all the others
Here 都 = all / everyone.
也 → also / too
Here 也 = also / too.
还 → also / in addition / additionally
还 emphasizes that something is being added to what has already been mentioned.
4. Can We Omit 以外?
Yes.
除了……以外 and 除了…… usually have the same meaning.
Both are correct.
5. Where Does the Subject Go?
The subject can appear in two common positions.
① At the beginning of the main clause
② Before 还 / 也
An Easy Way to Remember
→ Except A, everyone/everything else is B
→ Besides A, there is/are also B
→ Besides A, B also…