barring unique circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring unique circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen or be true except in special or unusual situations. Example: "The event will proceed as planned, barring unique circumstances that may arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Prisoners are not to be left alone, barring unique circumstances," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This happened eight years ago under unique circumstances".

The New York Times

"These are unique circumstances," he said.

The New York Times

So it could produce unique circumstances this year".

The New York Times

Dokur, however, exists in some unique circumstances.

Cornell University

"We are dealing here with exceptional and probably unique circumstances.

The Guardian

The challenge is to maintain unity in these unique circumstances.

The Guardian - Opinion

He does not believe that victory this year, despite the unique circumstances, would be so rewarding.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes, Mr. Clinton argues, a pardon may be granted based on undefined "unique circumstances".

The New York Times

David Miliband, the foreign secretary, said today: "Everybody understands that the byelection reflects some unique circumstances.

The Guardian

The league will reconsider, he said, only if A.C. Milan provides "unique circumstances".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barring unique circumstances", ensure the rest of your sentence clearly states the expected outcome under normal, non-unique conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "barring unique circumstances" in very informal or casual conversations; simpler phrases like "unless something weird happens" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring unique circumstances" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a condition or exception. It modifies the main clause by specifying the circumstances under which the statement might not hold true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barring unique circumstances" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an exception or condition to a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid. While not extremely common, it is versatile and appears in a variety of contexts, particularly news, academic writing, and scientific publications. It is best suited for neutral to formal registers. Alternatives like "unless exceptional conditions apply" or "except under special conditions" can be used for similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure the main clause clearly communicates the expected outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless exceptional conditions apply

Replaces "unique circumstances" with a synonym and uses 'unless' instead of 'barring'.

absent extraordinary situations

Employs a different adjective and noun to convey a similar sense of exceptionality.

except under special conditions

Uses 'except' to introduce the condition and 'special' as a substitute for 'unique'.

without atypical events occurring

More formal phrasing; focuses on the avoidance of irregular occurrences.

assuming no unusual developments

Implies a forecast or expectation, contingent on normalcy.

provided there are no singularities

A more technical or philosophical way to express the absence of exceptional cases.

save for particular instances

Replaces 'unique' with 'particular' and rephrases 'circumstances' as 'instances'.

excluding singular occurrences

Highlights the act of setting aside rare or isolated events.

contingent on standard situations

Expresses that the outcome relies on circumstances being routine, not unusual.

but for peculiar situations

Uses 'but for' to indicate that something is only prevented by strange or odd circumstances.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "barring unique circumstances"?

Alternatives include "except under special conditions", "unless exceptional conditions apply", or "absent extraordinary situations" depending on the formality and context.

Is "barring unique circumstances" a formal phrase?

Yes, "barring unique circumstances" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. More informal situations might call for simpler wording.

What does "barring unique circumstances" mean?

The phrase "barring unique circumstances" means that something is expected to happen or be true, unless there are exceptional or unusual situations that prevent it.

How do I use "barring unique circumstances" in a sentence?

You can use "barring unique circumstances" to introduce an exception to a general statement; for example, "The project will be completed on time, barring unique circumstances that could cause delays".