barring a few cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring a few cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is true or applicable except for a few specific instances or exceptions. Example: "The policy has been effective in improving productivity, barring a few cases where it was not implemented correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the first year of operation its Face ID system does appear to have been impressively resilient, too — barring a few cases of highly similar looking family members/identical twins.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hillaby made it, barring a few miles of unskirtable tarmac.

The Guardian - Travel

Barring a few microdeletions, no major changes were detected in blood DNA samples.

BMC Medical Genomics

In a few cases the bands will play at the small bars where they first made their name.

The New York Times - Arts

The plaintiffs' bar is still warming up for this amazing new game, and only a few cases have surfaced thus far.

Forbes

Tells about a few cases.

The New Yorker

A few cases?

The New York Times

It's just a few cases".

The New Yorker

It might in a few cases.

The New Yorker

In a few cases it worked.

BBC

A few cases have come close.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barring a few cases" when you want to acknowledge minor exceptions without undermining the general validity of a statement.

Common error

Avoid using "barring a few cases" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your arguments seem weak or uncertain. If there are too many exceptions, consider revising your main statement or providing more specific qualifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring a few cases" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement by introducing exceptions. It qualifies the main assertion, indicating that it holds true except for a limited number of instances. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barring a few cases" is a useful phrase for acknowledging minor exceptions to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "except for a few exceptions" or "with a few exceptions" for stylistic variation. When the exceptions are significant, be more specific or revise the main statement to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for a few exceptions

Replaces "barring" with "except for", emphasizing the exclusionary nature of the exceptions.

with a few exceptions

Uses "with" instead of "barring", offering a slightly more positive framing of the exceptions.

save for a few instances

Substitutes "barring" with "save for" and "cases" with "instances", providing a more formal tone.

excluding a handful of cases

Replaces "few" with "handful", suggesting a small number of exceptions.

apart from a small number of cases

Emphasizes the limited quantity of exceptions.

aside from a couple of cases

Uses "aside from" and specifies "couple" to indicate a very small number of exceptions.

but for a few cases

Replaces "barring" with "but for", which highlights the conditional aspect.

with the exception of a few cases

A more formal and explicit way of stating the exceptions.

excluding some isolated cases

Highlights that the exceptions are isolated incidents.

excepting a limited number of cases

A more formal and somewhat redundant phrasing, emphasizing the limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "barring a few cases" in a sentence?

Use "barring a few cases" to indicate that something is generally true, except for a small number of specific instances. For example, "The project was completed on time, "barring a few cases" where unforeseen circumstances caused delays."

What's a more formal alternative to "barring a few cases"?

A more formal alternative could be "with the exception of a few cases" or "save for a few instances". These options provide a similar meaning but in a more elevated register.

Is "barring a few cases" the same as "except for a few cases"?

Yes, "barring a few cases" and "except for a few cases" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate that a statement is generally true with some minor exceptions.

When should I avoid using "barring a few cases"?

Avoid using "barring a few cases" if the exceptions are significant or numerous, as it may weaken your overall argument. In such cases, it's better to be more specific about the exceptions or revise your main statement.