a handful of exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are a small number of cases that do not follow a general rule or pattern. Example: "Most students passed the exam, with a handful of exceptions who needed to retake it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except for a handful of exceptions, teams must now perform in their own stadiums.

The Guardian - Sport

With a handful of exceptions, the Hollywood Foreign Press handed out nominations to a number of films and performances that SAG voters ignored – and vice versa – further scrambling a race that has thus far been hard to read. .

Los Angeles Times

There were a handful of exceptions.

The New York Times

And with only a handful of exceptions, it has been.

The Economist

A. With a handful of exceptions, college presidents today are recruited to be stewards, not leaders.

The New York Times

With a handful of exceptions, neither favored identifying new constitutional rights where none existed before.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was, with a handful of exceptions, the Mara who died at El Porvenir.

The New York Times

In television, independent producers have virtually disappeared in the last decade, with a handful of exceptions.

The New York Times

Wal-Mart was among a handful of exceptions, with a 1.4percentt increase.

The New York Times

But after its decision, by a 4 to 3 vote, Connecticut is one of a handful of exceptions.

The New York Times

Barring a handful of exceptions, almost all Britain's top politicians think much the same about cycling as everyday transport.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a handful of exceptions", ensure the context clearly establishes the general rule from which these exceptions deviate. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a handful of exceptions" when the number of exceptions is actually significant or undermines the general rule. Using "many exceptions" or "several exceptions" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of exceptions" functions as a qualifier, modifying a general statement by acknowledging a small number of cases that do not adhere to it. As Ludwig suggests, it indicates that the exceptions are few and do not undermine the overall validity of the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a handful of exceptions" is a grammatically sound and widely used qualifier that indicates a small number of deviations from a general rule. As Ludwig's analysis and examples show, it's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure that the number of exceptions is genuinely small to maintain accuracy and credibility. Remember to consider alternatives like "a few exceptions" or "a small number of exceptions" for slight variations in emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few exceptions

Slightly less emphatic and more general than the original phrase.

with only a few exceptions

It's very similar to the original but replaces "handful" with "few".

with limited exceptions

Focuses on the presence of restrictions relating to the exceptions.

a small number of exceptions

More formal and precise, replacing the figurative "handful" with a literal quantity.

a limited number of exceptions

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of exceptions.

a scarce few exceptions

Highlights the rarity of the exceptions.

isolated exceptions

Focuses on the separate and infrequent nature of the exceptions.

rare exceptions

Emphasizes the infrequency of the exceptions.

an occasional exception

Suggests that the exceptions occur sporadically.

exceptions are few and far between

An idiomatic expression conveying the infrequency of exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "a handful of exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "a handful of exceptions" to indicate that only a small number of cases do not conform to a general rule. For instance, "Most students passed the exam, with "a handful of exceptions" who needed to retake it."

What are some alternatives to "a handful of exceptions"?

Alternatives include "a few exceptions", "a small number of exceptions", or "limited exceptions", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is it always appropriate to use "a handful of exceptions"?

While grammatically correct, using "a handful of exceptions" is not always appropriate. If the number of exceptions is considerable, phrases like "many exceptions" or "several exceptions" might be more accurate.

What does "a handful of exceptions" imply about the general rule?

Using "a handful of exceptions" suggests that the general rule is largely true and applicable, and that deviations are infrequent and relatively insignificant.