a one off exception

USAGE SUMMARY

'a one off exception' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a special occasion or situation that occurs once and is not a regular occurrence. For example: "Due to the exceptional circumstances, we have made a one off exception and allowed the group into the park after closing time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's easy to imagine this sketch may have been a one-off exception, given the gag here is the denizens of the Arctic singing "Lullaby of Broadway".

The New York Times

Matches up to the semi-final were contested on a one-off basis with the exception of the semi-finals which were contested over two-legs, with a match at each team's home ground.

Wikipedia

A private nuisance is normally a "continuing state of affairs", not a one-off situation; there are exceptions, such as in De Keyser's Royal Hotel v Spicer, where piledriving at night was considered a nuisance.

Wikipedia

The exception is a one-off episode set in Cornwall, where Dixon gets involved in a gripping 30mph car chase on an unfinished motorway.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was a one-off".

BBC

But this was just a one-off.

Independent

Nor will this be a one-off.

The Economist

Henry is a one-off among eccentrics.

The New York Times

It was a one-off case".

Independent

what a one-off Margaret Thatcher was.

Independent

This was not just a one-off".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a one off exception" when you want to emphasize that a particular situation or event is not typical and won't be repeated. This phrase is effective for clarifying that a decision or action is not setting a precedent.

Common error

Avoid using "a one off exception" when describing recurring events or situations that happen regularly, even if infrequently. The phrase is meant to highlight singular, non-recurring instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one off exception" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, emphasizing the singularity and non-recurring nature of the exception. Ludwig indicates that this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one off exception" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize that a specific event or decision is a singular, non-recurring occurrence. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical validity. While not particularly frequent, it serves to clarify that a situation should not be considered a precedent. Considering its limited usage data, diverse alternatives exist depending on context, ranging from "an isolated incident" to "an anomaly". Although the usage data is missing, remember to reserve this phrase for truly unique situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an isolated incident

Focuses on the event being singular and not part of a pattern.

a singular occurrence

Emphasizes the uniqueness and infrequency of the event.

a unique case

Highlights that the situation is different from typical cases.

an atypical situation

Indicates that the situation deviates from the norm or expectation.

a rare instance

Stresses the infrequency of the event happening.

an infrequent event

Highlights that the event does not occur regularly.

a special circumstance

Emphasizes the particular conditions that make the event unusual.

a departure from the norm

Indicates a deviation from standard or expected behavior.

an unprecedented event

Highlights the event as having no prior occurrence.

an anomaly

Presents the event as something that deviates from the general rule or trend.

FAQs

How can I use "a one off exception" in a sentence?

You can use "a one off exception" to indicate that something is happening only once and is not part of a regular practice. For example, "The company made "a one off exception" to their policy due to the unusual circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "a one off exception"?

Alternatives to "a one off exception" include phrases like "an isolated incident", "a unique case", or "a rare instance", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a one off exception"?

Yes, "a one off exception" is grammatically correct. It is used to describe something that is an exception and only happens once.

When is it appropriate to use "a one off exception" versus "an exception"?

Use "a one off exception" when you want to emphasize that the exception is specifically a one-time occurrence and not part of a recurring pattern. "An exception" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a singular event.