a conspicuous exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conspicuous exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight something that stands out as different or not fitting within a general trend or pattern. Example: "While most students performed well on the exam, Sarah was a conspicuous exception, scoring significantly lower than her peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The study noted a conspicuous exception.

The New York Times

Ayn Rand, however, is a conspicuous exception to this rule.

The Economist

Worms usually lack appendages; polychaete annelids are a conspicuous exception.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Markhams Building, on Pritchard Street, is a conspicuous exception).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rachel Barany, an educational consultant in New York, is a conspicuous exception.

The New York Times - Tech

The chief judge of the Supreme Court, Maurício Corrêa, is a conspicuous exception.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Almost every woman is a porn-fantasy babe wearing hardly more than a come-hither smile and a thong - with the conspicuous exception of the ugly old broad of a judge who sentences Marv.

The Guardian - Film

This brand is alive and well, with a few conspicuous exceptions.

The New York Times - Books

With a few conspicuous exceptions, the restaurants were not equal to the skiing.

The New York Times - Travel

With a few conspicuous exceptions, he hired people of passion and competence.

The New York Times

Obama's Republican critics are still piling on, and the Democrats, with a few conspicuous exceptions, such as Senator Harry Reid, are keeping quiet or registering some doubts of their own.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a conspicuous exception", ensure that the context clearly establishes the general rule or pattern from which the exception deviates. This provides clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a conspicuous exception" when the supposed 'rule' is already weak or ill-defined. The exception's impact is diminished if the pattern itself isn't firmly established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conspicuous exception" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage to point out something that stands out from the norm. It highlights a deviation from a general rule or trend.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conspicuous exception" is a noun phrase used to emphasize a notable deviation from a general trend or rule. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure the underlying rule or trend is well-established for maximum impact. Alternatives include "a notable outlier" or "an obvious anomaly". Remember, the phrase's effectiveness lies in drawing attention to something uniquely different.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable outlier

Replaces "exception" with "outlier", emphasizing the statistical aspect of deviating from the norm, and "conspicuous" with "notable", simplyfying the relevance.

a remarkable deviation

Substitutes "exception" with "deviation", focusing on the act of departing from the standard, and replaces "conspicuous" with "remarkable" stressing how amazing it is.

a prominent divergence

Uses "divergence" instead of "exception", highlighting the act of branching off, and "prominent" in place of "conspicuous" to denote importance.

an obvious anomaly

Replaces "exception" with "anomaly", indicating an irregularity, and "conspicuous" with "obvious", suggesting it is easily noticed.

a striking departure

Employs "departure" instead of "exception", emphasizing the act of moving away, and "striking" instead of "conspicuous" to denote noteworthiness.

a clear inconsistency

Substitutes "exception" with "inconsistency", pointing out a contradiction, and "conspicuous" with "clear", indicating ease of perception.

an evident contradiction

Replaces "exception" with "contradiction", highlighting a direct opposition, and "conspicuous" with "evident", making the opposition obvious.

a manifest irregularity

Uses "irregularity" instead of "exception", stressing the non-conformity, and "manifest" in place of "conspicuous" to emphasize its clear visibility.

a patent oddity

Substitutes "exception" with "oddity", focusing on the strangeness, and "conspicuous" with "patent", indicating it is undeniable.

a blatant exclusion

Replaces "exception" with "exclusion", emphasizing the act of being left out, and "conspicuous" with "blatant", indicating it is offensively obvious.

FAQs

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

Use "a conspicuous exception" to highlight a case that noticeably deviates from a general trend or rule. For example: "Most students passed the exam, but John was "a conspicuous exception" because he didn't study".

What are some alternatives to "a conspicuous exception"?

You can use alternatives such as "a notable outlier", "a remarkable deviation", or "an obvious anomaly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a conspicuous exception"?

While "conspicuous" implies something noticeable, using it to modify "exception" can emphasize the degree to which something stands out. It is not necessarily redundant if used for added emphasis.

How does "a conspicuous exception" differ from "a typical exception"?

"A typical exception" refers to an expected or common deviation. "A conspicuous exception", however, is particularly noticeable or striking, not just any regular deviation from a rule.