are an exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are an exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone does not conform to a general rule or pattern. Example: "Most students passed the exam, but a few are an exception due to their unique circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Funeral homes are an exception).

The New York Times - Arts

Diamonds are an exception.

The New York Times

But the Devils are an exception.

The New York Times - Sports

(Convertibles, he said, are an exception).

The New York Times

Ilya and Emilia Kabakov are an exception.

The Economist

But they are an exception.

The Guardian - Sport

The Algerians are an exception.

The New York Times

Brides are an exception, however.

The New Yorker

Surgeons, however, are an exception.

The New York Times - Magazine

But these universities are an exception.

The Guardian

Mine, as it happens, are an exception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are an exception", ensure the context clearly establishes the general rule or pattern from which the exception deviates. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are an exception" if there's no explicitly stated or implied general rule. For example, instead of saying "This project is an exception", clarify what it is an exception to by stating, "This project is an exception to our usual short-term goals because it focuses on long-term impact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are an exception" serves as a predicative expression, indicating that the subject does not conform to a general rule or pattern. It functions to highlight a deviation from what is expected or typical. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common way to single out specific instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are an exception" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something deviates from a general rule or pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the context establishes the general rule to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "are an anomaly" or "deviate from the norm" can provide similar meanings depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute an exception

Formal phrasing indicating that something forms a specific case outside the norm.

represent an exception

Similar to 'are an exception', but emphasizes the act of representing a deviation.

are an anomaly

Highlights the irregularity or unusual nature of something compared to the typical case.

are an outlier

Focuses on the statistical aspect of being significantly different from other data points.

deviate from the norm

Emphasizes the departure from what is considered standard or typical.

do not conform

Stresses the lack of adherence to a particular rule, standard, or pattern.

prove to be the exception

Indicates that something, in the end, turns out to be an exception.

buck the trend

Informal phrase indicating resistance to a common pattern or direction.

stand apart

Highlights the uniqueness of something, setting it away from the others.

are the odd one out

Emphasizes the difference of one element in respect to the group, commonly used in less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "are an exception" in a sentence?

You can use "are an exception" to indicate that something doesn't follow a general rule or pattern. For instance, "While most companies struggle during economic downturns, tech companies "are an exception" due to the increasing demand for technology".

What are some alternatives to saying "are an exception"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are an anomaly", "are an outlier", or "deviate from the norm".

Is it grammatically correct to say "is an exception" or should it always be "are an exception"?

Whether you use "is" or "are" depends on whether you're referring to a singular or plural subject. If the subject is singular, use "is". If the subject is plural, use "are". For example, "This rule is an exception", but "These rules are an exception".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "are an exception"?

It's inappropriate to use "are an exception" when you haven't established a clear rule or pattern that the subject is deviating from. Make sure the context is clear and that the exception is evident.