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According to these two links link1 link2, we should use bare infinitive after “But, than, except”

But I have read the below sentence somewhere

She had no choice except to wait for the next train.

So is this sentence wrong?

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EXCEPT takes a matrix-licensed complement: its complement is licensed by the verb in the main or matrix clause. In this case, the main verb is HAVE. HAVE allows a to-infinitival clause complement with a deontic sense, as in:

I had to wait for the next train

Since the complement of EXCEPT is licensed by HAVE and HAVE allows a to-infinitival complement, the sentence is grammatical.

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  • Damn, I've been reading grammar texts for a while and you're still on a whole other level of jargon. Consider me impressed.
    – the-baby-is-you
    Jul 7, 2020 at 7:51

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