When is it appropriate to use `try...except` versus simply checking conditions (e.g., using `if` statements)?

`try...except` is best for exceptional situations that are not part of the normal program flow. If a condition is common and expected, use `if` statements. For example, if you're validating user input, use `if` statements to check input validity. Use `try...except` when an action *might* fail, such as reading a file that doesn't exist or performing a network request. Overusing `try...except` for normal control flow can make code harder to read and less efficient.