apart from a few exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apart from a few exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally true, with some specific cases that do not apply. Example: "The policy is effective for all employees, apart from a few exceptions that have been outlined in the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But it says that, apart from a few exceptions, there was no evidence that Gypsies of foreign origin were granted asylum, while there were plenty of cases to indicate the opposite.

The Guardian

Trynka fares no better than Spitz in his attempts to make sense of what is, after all, the natural order of things in pop apart from a few exceptions such as Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

The Guardian - Music

But again and again, apart from a few exceptions like David Petraeus and H.R. McMaster who tried to work with local leaders, the military ended up humiliating and antagonizing Iraqis.

The New York Times - Books

Critics contend that the fashion industry, with its notorious fixation on youthful perfection, has been guilty for decades of ignoring older women, apart from a few exceptions like Carmen Dell'Orefice and Veruschka, who have been in demand sporadically over the years.

The New York Times

We show that while T ∞ [ Y 0 ] is a proper subset of T a [ Y 0 ] apart from a few exceptions, their critical extremal lengths are identical.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

By using the Dharma Drum person authority database as dictionary we can reduce the number of false negatives to a minimum, because, apart from a few exceptions, all names in the corpus appear in the dictionary17.

Lingua Sinica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

MR. HARRISS -- There is not much new radical innovation in Asia of the kind we're looking at to create jobs in the U.S. Apart from a very few exceptions, what Asia does well is take the latest innovations and production techniques, invest in the most recent equipment and then bring in their powerful advantages in low-cost labor, and start to produce.

The New York Times

Apart from a few notable exceptions – she names Westwood and McQueen – "there's not all that much energy out there".

Independent

But, apart from a few notable exceptions, including other Russell T Davies shows Doctor Who and Torchwood, gay men and lesbians rarely feature in long-form drama.

Independent

Consider the following: Apart from a few important exceptions — like the history textbooks — positive official references to Stalin have been rare since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The New York Times

Apart from a few terrifying exceptions, British Muslims want to protect their country and their young people as much as non-Muslims (who also have a few terrifying exceptions).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apart from a few exceptions", clearly define or hint at what those exceptions might be to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "apart from a few exceptions" without giving the reader some context or indication of what those exceptions are. This can leave the statement vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apart from a few exceptions" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement by indicating that it is generally true but has some exceptions. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it's used to introduce a nuanced perspective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apart from a few exceptions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used qualifier that suggests a general truth while acknowledging deviations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. For clarity, it's best to imply or specify the exceptions when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "with the exception of" or "except for a few cases" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the exception of a handful

Emphasizes the small number of exceptions to the rule.

save for a small number of cases

Formally indicates exclusion of specific instances.

excluding some isolated instances

Highlights the infrequent and detached nature of the exceptions.

besides a couple of deviations

Indicates minor departures from a norm.

excepting a limited quantity of instances

Stresses the numerical restriction on the exceptions.

barring a few uncommon occurrences

Focuses on the infrequency of the exceptions.

outside of a select group of situations

Highlights that the exceptions belong to a specific group.

notwithstanding a handful of divergences

Acknowledges exceptions without diminishing the main point.

with only slight differences

Highlights minimal deviations.

for the most part

Simplifies to a general statement with implied exceptions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "apart from a few exceptions"?

You can use alternatives like "with the exception of", "except for a few cases", or "save for a small number" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "apart from a few exceptions" in formal writing?

Yes, "apart from a few exceptions" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider if a more precise phrasing might be more appropriate in certain academic or professional settings.

What is the difference between "except for" and "apart from a few exceptions"?

"Except for" indicates a direct exclusion, while "apart from a few exceptions" acknowledges a general rule with some deviations. "Except for" is generally used when the exceptions are significant or need specific attention.

How do I use "apart from a few exceptions" in a sentence?

Use "apart from a few exceptions" to indicate that a statement is generally true, but there are some specific cases where it doesn't apply. For instance, "All students passed the exam, apart from a few exceptions who were ill."