Except for a few exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Except for a few exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there are some specific cases that do not follow the general rule or statement being made. Example: "The store is open every day except for a few exceptions, such as holidays and maintenance days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Except for a few exceptions, the Streptomyces sRNAs, as well as the sRNAs in other genera of the Actinomyces group, have remained unstudied.

BMC Genomics

Most of them, except for a few exceptions I discovered in my trials, work very, very well.

TechCrunch

Research that applies for approval from the U.S. FDA also must have been conducted according to FDA regulations which, except for a few exceptions, are essentially the same.

SEP

"Rouhani's speech has made the world happy, except for a few exceptions," another moderate paper, Mardom Salari, said in its editorial.

BBC

At the 10% level, also similar pattern was observed regarding CHE except for a few exceptions such as, older population of 60+ years, households who belong to the Hindu religious community and persons who died after the accidental injury, who incurred higher CHE.

Health Economics Review

While many fintech founders and investors have expressed concerns over the ambiguity and confusion of regulations, and there is such a thing as too much regulation, for the burgeoning financial technology industry — except for a few exceptions — too much might still be better than too little.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Overall, if we except species with a clear dispersal-dedicated apparatus [ 24, 45, 47, 58], evidence for genetic variation in dispersal syndromes and close dissections of trait associations are scarce (for a few exceptions [ 39, 41, 44], see also [ 38]).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

There were a few exceptions for virus attachment (Table).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The gdh sequences were identical with published gdh sequences for each assemblage with a few exceptions.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

With a few exceptions, the funding mechanisms for the specialized TB services remained unchanged.

Health Economics Review

The changes for elements with higher atomic number were generally smaller, with a few exceptions.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except for a few exceptions" to introduce specific exclusions to a general rule, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing. This phrase signals that while a statement is generally true, there are some notable cases where it does not apply.

Common error

Avoid using "except for a few exceptions" without providing context or examples of the exceptions. This can make your writing vague and less informative. Always aim to clarify what these exceptions are, or at least hint at their nature, to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Except for a few exceptions" functions as a qualifier. It modifies a preceding statement by acknowledging that it is generally true but not universally applicable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Except for a few exceptions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used qualifier that adds nuance and accuracy to writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It functions to acknowledge that while a general statement holds true, there are some specific instances where it does not apply. While used across different contexts, including science, news, and formal communications, it's essential to specify or contextualize these exceptions to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "with a few exceptions" or "aside from a few exceptions" offer similar meanings, allowing for stylistic variation. The phrase helps set realistic expectations and adds precision to communication, making it a valuable tool in effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

With a few exceptions

Swaps "except for" with "with", creating a slightly more concise and commonly used alternative.

Aside from a few exceptions

Uses "aside from" instead of "except for", conveying a similar meaning of exclusion.

Apart from a few exceptions

Replaces "except for" with "apart from", indicating a similar exclusion but with a slightly different tone.

Other than a few exceptions

Similar in meaning to "apart from", but using "other than" to specify the exclusion.

Save for a few exceptions

Uses "save for" instead of "except for", providing a more formal or literary alternative.

Barring a few exceptions

Substitutes "except for" with "barring", indicating that the exceptions are preventing factors.

Excluding a few exceptions

Turns the phrase into a participial phrase, emphasizing the act of excluding certain cases.

With limited exceptions

Emphasizes that exceptions are not only few but also constrained or restricted in scope.

But there are some exceptions

This is a more direct way to acknowledge the existence of exceptions, often used for simplicity.

A few exceptions notwithstanding

Presents a more formal and somewhat inverted construction, where the exceptions are acknowledged but don't negate the general rule.

FAQs

How can I use "Except for a few exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "Except for a few exceptions" to indicate that a general statement is true, but some specific cases do not apply. For example, "All students passed the exam, "except for a few exceptions", who will need to retake it".

What are some alternatives to "Except for a few exceptions"?

Alternatives include "with a few exceptions", "apart from a few exceptions", or "save for a few exceptions". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to list the exceptions instead of using "Except for a few exceptions"?

Listing the exceptions directly provides more clarity. However, when the list is extensive, using ""except for a few exceptions"" can be more concise. Use your judgment based on the length and relevance of the exceptions.

What's the difference between "Except for a few exceptions" and "With the exception of"?

"With the exception of" typically introduces a specific, named exception. "Except for a few exceptions" implies there are multiple, possibly unspecified, exceptions. For example: "With the exception of John, everyone passed" versus "Everyone passed, "except for a few exceptions"".