an exceptional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exceptional" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that stands out due to its quality or uniqueness. For example, "She is an exceptional leader who inspires her team." Alternative expressions include "a remarkable," "an outstanding," or "a notable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An exceptional crisis requires an exceptional response.

Science Magazine

It's an exceptional performance.

Independent

She's an exceptional beauty.

The New York Times

"He's an exceptional player.

The New York Times - Sports

It's an exceptional vote".

Independent

This was an exceptional marriage".

The New York Times - Books

"America is an exceptional nation".

The New York Times

"It is an exceptional signature".

The New York Times - Arts

She's rather an exceptional person.

The New Yorker

"Arsène is an exceptional physiologist.

Independent

"He wasn't an exceptional athlete.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun following the phrase matches the intensity of the adjective; for example, describing a minor convenience as "an exceptional" event might sound hyperbolic.

Common error

Avoid using "an exceptional" as a simple synonym for 'many' or 'frequent'. The term implies a deviation from the standard based on quality or distinctiveness, not just a high count. For instance, 'an exceptional amount of rain' is correct because it implies a record-breaking or rare event, but 'exceptional students' should refer to their talent rather than how many students are present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exceptional" functions as an attributive adjective phrase consisting of an indefinite article and a qualitative adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to modify a noun by ascribing a high degree of merit or an unusual nature to it. It often serves as a predicate adjective after a linking verb, as seen in many Ludwig examples like "He's an exceptional player."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exceptional" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to denote superiority or rarity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse fields, from sports commentary to scientific reporting. Whether you are describing "an exceptional" <a href="/s/talent" target="_blank" rel="alternative">talent, <a href="/s/crisis" target="_blank" rel="alternative">crisis or <a href="/s/discovery" target="_blank" rel="alternative">discovery, the phrase effectively elevates the subject matter. It is a safer, more professional alternative to more hyperbolic terms like 'awesome' or 'amazing' and is particularly favored by elite publications for its precision and positive weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable

Suggests something worthy of attention or notice, often used interchangeably with the main phrase.

an outstanding

Emphasizes that something stands out clearly from others in its category, often used for performance.

an extraordinary

Carries a slightly stronger connotation of being beyond what is ordinary or expected.

a stellar

Uses a celestial metaphor to denote exceptionally high quality, common in sports and business contexts.

a singular

A more formal and sophisticated way to denote something that is unique or one-of-a-kind.

an unusual

Focuses more on the deviation from the norm rather than purely on high quality.

a rare

Highlights the scarcity or infrequency of the subject being described.

an uncommon

A neutral alternative used to describe something that does not occur often.

a phenomenal

Adds a sense of awe or extreme intensity to the description.

an exquisite

Specifically used for things of high aesthetic beauty or delicate craftsmanship.

FAQs

How do I use "an exceptional" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight a person's skill or a unique event, such as "She is <a href="/s/an+exceptional+leader" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an exceptional leader who motivates everyone."

What is the difference between "an exceptional" and "a remarkable"?

While both describe something worthy of notice, <a href="/s/a+remarkable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a remarkable suggests something noteworthy, whereas "an exceptional" often emphasizes that the subject is an outlier or superior to its peers.

Is it correct to say "a exceptional" or "an exceptional"?

You must use "an exceptional" because the word 'exceptional' begins with a vowel sound. Saying <a href="/s/a+exceptional" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a exceptional is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

What can I say instead of "an exceptional talent"?

Depending on the tone, you could use <a href="/s/an+outstanding+talent" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an outstanding talent or <a href="/s/a+phenomenal+talent" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a phenomenal talent to vary your vocabulary.