a clear exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific case that stands out from the general rule or norm, often highlighting an important distinction. Example: "While most employees are required to clock in by 9 AM, there is a clear exception for those with flexible work hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

A clear exception is Medicare.

The New York Times

A list of 39 questions about HD does not cite "Sunday Ticket" as a clear exception.

The New York Times

That is a clear exception to the prevailing climate of deregulation that has taken hold with both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue controlled by Republicans.

The New York Times

But, just as in business, to every rule there is a clear exception.

Forbes

Better software may mean more listings (although the bare-bones and massive Craigslist is a clear exception to that rule).

TechCrunch

A clear exception is the subset for Kyushu, in which the tremor duration is anomalously short with respect to the recurrence interval.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial gene sets so far yielded a single clear exception to this pattern, the presence of the RPS16 gene in the mitochondrial genome of the amoebas Vermamoeba vermiformis and Acanthamoeba castellanii that is missing in the excavates.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Sunday's Polls Four of the five national tracking polls published on Sunday showed a gain for Mr. Romney, but there was one clear exception: a poll for Investor's Business Daily, which showed Mr. Obama surging to a 5.7-percentage-point lead from 2.6 percentage points previously.

The New York Times

Presidents do not ordinarily run against the Congress — at least not if they want to win a second term (the clear exception to both rules being Harry Truman in 1948).

The New York Times

The only clear exception was a small region of sequence similarity just downstream from the R2R3 repeats (at ∼625 bp) which, interestingly, overlaps the area of the AtMYB90 transcript targeted by an Arabidopsis trans-acting small interfering RNA [tasiRNA, specifically TAS4-siR81] [43].

Plosone

However, we find one clear exception, demonstrating a new example, only 28 amino acids long, where an ORF in S. cerevisiae with evidence of translation appears to have evolved recently.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a clear exception", ensure the general rule or pattern is well-established beforehand to emphasize the contrast and significance of the exception. Clearly state the rule before pointing out the exception.

Common error

Avoid introducing "a clear exception" before adequately establishing the rule it contradicts. Ensure readers understand the general principle before highlighting its deviation to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear exception" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or appositive to identify a specific instance that deviates from a general rule or norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear exception" is a correct and commonly used phrase to denote a specific instance that deviates from a general rule or norm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and news media. When using this phrase, ensure the general rule is well-established to emphasize the contrast effectively. Related phrases include "a notable exception" and "a distinct departure". It's important to avoid introducing the exception before the rule it defies to prevent confusion. "A clear exception" serves to clarify and refine statements, avoiding over generalizations, and highlighting nuances where they exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable exception

Emphasizes the significance or worthiness of noting the exception.

a distinct departure

Highlights the act of diverging from a standard or norm.

a marked deviation

Stresses the noticeable difference from the usual course.

an obvious outlier

Focuses on the statistical concept of a data point far from others.

a singular case

Indicates the uniqueness and particularity of the exception.

an exceptional instance

Highlights the unusual nature of the situation.

a special circumstance

Refers to the specific conditions that make it an exception.

a unique situation

Similar to "a special circumstance", but emphasizes uniqueness.

an infrequent occurrence

Highlights the rarity of the exceptional event.

a divergence from the norm

Highlights a shift away from what is considered standard or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear exception" in a sentence?

Use "a clear exception" to point out a specific instance that does not follow a general rule or pattern. For example, "Most fruits are sweet, but a lemon is "a clear exception"."

What phrases are similar to "a clear exception"?

You can use alternatives like "a notable exception", "a distinct departure", or "an obvious outlier" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a clear exception" or "an obvious exception"?

Both "a clear exception" and "an obvious exception" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the exception's clarity or obviousness. "A clear exception" emphasizes the lack of ambiguity, while "an obvious exception" emphasizes how readily apparent it is.

When is it appropriate to use "a clear exception" in writing?

Use "a clear exception" when you want to highlight a case that stands out from a general trend or rule. This is especially useful in analytical writing, scientific reports, or any situation where accuracy and precision are important. It helps to add clarity and avoid generalizations when there are notable deviations.