be exclusive to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be exclusive to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to belong only to a certain person, group, or thing. Example: The new collection of designer handbags is exclusive to our flagship store and will not be sold anywhere else. Here, "be exclusive to" is used to show that the collection can only be found at the flagship store and is not available at any other store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In a change from the current situation, arrest powers would be exclusive to the police.

The New York Times

Now we may see novel shapes that will be exclusive to small cars.

The New York Times

The TV ad will be exclusive to Channel 4 and all its channels.

The Guardian

Some events will be in all three cities; others will be exclusive to a particular city.

The New York Times

In the black rhinoceros, dung-scattering behaviour does not appear to be exclusive to dominant males.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"And allied to this is the desire to be exclusive, to show off, to enjoy life".

The New York Times

"Once we go to downhill training in Whistler, it has to be exclusive to Canadians," Gartner said.

The New York Times - Sports

Her new line will be exclusive to Kohl's and will have wardrobe basics like jeans and knits.

The New York Times

Will the shows be exclusive to YouTube?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nor is exclusive to them.

The New York Times - Sports

The experience is exclusive to Frieze.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific papers, use this phrase to isolate a variable or a biomarker that does not appear in control groups.

Common error

Avoid using "be exclusive for" when trying to indicate a location or a category of belonging; "to" is the standard idiomatic preposition required to establish a direct link of singular availability.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional complement. In the context of Ludwig's examples, it usually acts as the subject complement after a linking verb (like 'is', 'was' or 'will be') to define the specific domain of an object's existence or availability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be exclusive to" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used across diverse sectors. Ludwig AI samples demonstrate its prevalence in media to describe business deals, such as content rights, and in science to isolate biological variables or genetic markers. Its primary strength lies in its ability to clearly define limits, ensuring that the subject is tied solely to one entity or category. Whether discussing retail products or genetic mutations, it remains the gold standard for expressing singular availability and specific belonging in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unique to

Emphasizes that the subject is the only one of its kind in that specific context.

be specific to

Often used in scientific or medical contexts to denote a precise relationship.

be limited to

Focuses on the restriction or boundary of where something can be found.

belong only to

A more direct, possessive way of expressing the same relationship.

be restricted to

Stronger emphasis on the prohibition of access elsewhere.

be particular to

Suggests a characteristic that is specially associated with a certain group.

be proprietary to

Specific to business or legal contexts regarding ownership of assets.

be confined to

Often used for geographic or spatial limitations.

be available only at

Commonly used in retail or marketing contexts for specific locations.

be distinctive of

Focuses on the quality that makes something easily recognizable as belonging to one group.

FAQs

How do I use "be exclusive to" in a sentence?

You use it to show that something is available only in one place or for one group. For example: "The director's cut will <a href="/s/be+exclusive+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be exclusive to the Blu-ray edition".

What is the difference between "be exclusive to" and "be unique to"?

While similar, "<a href="/s/be+unique+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be unique to" suggests the item is the only one in existence, whereas "be exclusive to" often implies a chosen restriction or a specific distribution deal.

Can I say "be exclusive for" instead?

While "exclusive for" is sometimes used in marketing (e.g. "exclusive for members"), "<a href="/s/be+exclusive+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be exclusive to" is the more grammatically standard form for indicating belonging to a specific platform or entity.

Is "be exclusive to" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in scientific research. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/be+specific+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be specific to" are also common when describing biological markers or data points.