Without exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Without exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to all cases or instances without any exclusions. Example: "All employees must submit their reports by Friday, without exception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Without exception".

The New York Times

Without exception, they're worth watching.

The New York Times - Arts

Without exception, all have failed.

The Guardian - Business

Without exception, they pronounced themselves flummoxed.

The New Yorker

Without exception, they stopped and stared.

The New York Times

Without exception, they have all gotten puppies.

The New York Times

Without exception, girls were gentle in their interaction.

The New York Times

Without exception, all feature images of burning buildings.

The Guardian

Without exception, they said no – because it's expensive and racist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without exception, the letters she received were from lonely people.

The New Yorker

Without exception they tried to shut me up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Without exception" to emphasize that a rule, requirement, or condition applies to all members of a group or in all circumstances. This reinforces the idea of universality and leaves no room for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "Without exception" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or overly assertive in relaxed settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "always" or "every time" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Without exception" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something applies universally. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in emphasizing the complete absence of exclusions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Without exception" is a common adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something applies to all instances without any exclusions. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and formal contexts. While it effectively conveys universality, be mindful of the tone and register of your writing, and consider using alternative phrases like "in every instance" or "universally" in more casual settings. When clarity and emphasis are paramount, "Without exception" remains a strong and reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without any exceptions

This is a more verbose restatement of the original phrase, adding emphasis.

In every instance

This alternative focuses on each individual occurrence, emphasizing that the statement holds true for each one.

Universally

This single word concisely expresses the idea that something applies to everyone or everything.

Without fail

This alternative highlights the reliability and certainty of something happening.

In all cases

Similar to "in every instance", this emphasizes the broad applicability of a statement.

Consistently

This alternative highlights that something repeats in the same way over time or across instances.

Invariably

This emphasizes the unchanging nature of a situation or outcome.

Always

This single word simply and directly conveys that something happens every time.

Each and every time

This alternative stresses the repetition and completeness of an action or event.

Across the board

This phrase suggests a uniform application to all members of a group or category.

FAQs

How can I use "Without exception" in a sentence?

Use "Without exception" to emphasize that something applies to all cases without any exclusions. For example: "All employees must submit their reports by Friday, "without exception"."

What phrases are similar to "Without exception"?

Similar phrases include "in every instance", "universally", or "without fail". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "Almost without exception"?

Yes, "Almost without exception" is grammatically correct. It suggests that something is generally true but allows for the possibility of rare exceptions.

What's the difference between "Without exception" and "With no exceptions"?

The phrases "Without exception" and "With no exceptions" are nearly identical in meaning and can be used interchangeably. Both emphasize that there are no exclusions to a rule or statement. The choice between them is largely a matter of stylistic preference.