as an exception to the rule

USAGE SUMMARY

"as an exception to the rule" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or action that goes against a general or expected rule or norm. Example: "The dress code for this company is business casual, but as an exception to the rule, employees are expected to wear formal attire to important client meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Depression is sometimes cited as an exception to the rule; rather, it serves as the exceptional case that proves it.

Forbes

He sees himself as an exception to the rule of racial purity.

The Guardian

Mr. Baasyir and his school are widely known as an exception to the rule.

The New York Times

(She then goes on to rave about "Twilight" as an exception to the rule).

The New Yorker

As an office building in an area zoned for a commercial-residential mix, the project was subject to extensive review as an exception to the rule.

The Washington Post

Cooper explains Ingleton as an "exception to the rule" that at Universal, women began directing shorts before they directed feature films, even the most accomplished and prolific feature director Lois Weber.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

20– 22 Cosmetic micropigmentation is not an exception to the rule, as we have demonstrated (Table 1).

Clinical interventions in aging

Two unique Avatars join the Alpha as an exception to the Avataric rule.

Wikipedia

Therefore we call this gene tenrec trappin-18 as an exception to the Met rule.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

(The answer could be as simple as securing an exception to the developer rules).

Huffington Post

As an exception to this rule, we excluded professional journalists who fit the above criteria.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an exception to the rule", clearly state the rule that is being deviated from to avoid confusion. For instance, clarify the policy or guideline to which the exception applies.

Common error

Avoid creating so many exceptions that the original rule becomes meaningless. If you find yourself constantly making exceptions, it may be time to revise the rule itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an exception to the rule" serves as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating a condition or circumstance that deviates from a general principle. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as an exception to the rule" is a versatile phrase used to denote deviations from established norms, guidelines, or principles. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts including news, science, and academia. While versatile, overuse of exceptions can undermine the rule itself. Related phrases like "as a deviation from the norm" or "contrary to the general principle" offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. Always ensure clarity by explicitly stating the rule to which the exception applies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a deviation from the norm

Replaces "rule" with "norm", emphasizing a departure from typical behavior rather than a strict regulation.

as an anomaly

Focuses on the phrase being unusual or unexpected, an exception to what's generally observed.

in contrast to the standard practice

Highlights a difference from typical procedures, with a formal connotation.

contrary to the general principle

Emphasizes opposition to an accepted idea.

as an infringement of the convention

Emphasizes breaking the rules.

as a one-off

Implies that something will only happen one time and won't be repeated.

outside the parameters

The phrase falls outside of expected borders.

as an infrequent occurrence

Underlines the rarity of the instance.

out of kilter

Explains a sense of being out of balance or alignment, diverging from the usual.

off the beaten track

Suggests a departure from the ordinary or typical path.

FAQs

How can I use "as an exception to the rule" in a sentence?

Use "as an exception to the rule" to indicate a deviation from a general principle or standard practice. For example, "While the company typically prohibits pets, as an exception to the rule, service animals are allowed."

What are some alternatives to "as an exception to the rule"?

You can use alternatives like "as a deviation from the norm", "as an anomaly", or "contrary to the general principle" to express a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "as an exception to the rule"?

It's appropriate to use "as an exception to the rule" when you want to specify that something is not following the usual or expected course, or when a specific case falls outside the scope of a general guideline.

What is the difference between "as an exception to the rule" and "the exception that proves the rule"?

"As an exception to the rule" simply indicates a deviation, while "the exception that proves the rule" is an idiom that suggests the existence of an exception actually reinforces the validity of the rule (although its modern usage often implies the exception highlights the rule's limitations).