but exceptionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but exceptionally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or an exception to a previous statement, often emphasizing a particular quality or situation. Example: "The weather has been quite unpredictable this season, but exceptionally, we had a sunny day last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Quinnell: "Gareth was deceptively quick but exceptionally strong as well.

The Guardian - Sport

This record of aggressive securities law enforcement cannot be seen as anything but exceptionally strong.

The New York Times

The berry, pumpkin and espresso, all with cookie crusts, are not too sweet but exceptionally creamy.

The New York Times - Food

LAS VEGAS — Danilo Gallinari was shaky, then strong, not brilliant but exceptionally resilient.

The New York Times - Sports

That last acquisition was a sack truck, which like the ladder is a very simple but exceptionally well-designed object.

Independent

School officials say they have no choice — but exceptionally talented pupils like Teela are paying the price.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This was a tricky pitch but not exceptionally so: it did enough but not too much.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a light lunch but an exceptionally fine one.

The New York Times - Arts

But their exceptionally affable relationship may have played a part in Mr Paisley's departure.

Independent

But his exceptionally brutal use of force has alienated those who had hoped to embrace him.

The Economist

But the exceptionally assured way in which he has run his campaign is a considerable comfort.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but exceptionally", ensure that the contrast or exception you are introducing is significant and adds meaningful information to the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "but exceptionally" in sentences where a simpler conjunction like "but" or "however" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but exceptionally" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast while emphasizing the exceptional nature of the second clause. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but exceptionally" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to introduce a notable contrast or exception. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary complexity, as simpler conjunctions might suffice in some instances. Remember to emphasize the significance of the exception when using "but exceptionally" to make the most effective impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however remarkably

Replaces "but" with "however" and "exceptionally" with "remarkably", changing the tone slightly.

yet outstandingly

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "exceptionally" with "outstandingly", providing a more formal alternative.

though uniquely

Uses "though" instead of "but" and "uniquely" in place of "exceptionally", giving a slightly different emphasis.

although singularly

Replaces "but" with "although" and "exceptionally" with "singularly", which is more formal.

however singularly

Similar to "although singularly" but uses "however" for a slightly different tone.

nonetheless extraordinarily

Offers a more formal and emphatic alternative, replacing "but" with "nonetheless" and "exceptionally" with "extraordinarily".

conversely distinctively

Uses "conversely" to show contrast and "distinctively" instead of "exceptionally", altering the flow of the sentence.

in contrast surprisingly

Replaces "but" with "in contrast" and "exceptionally" with "surprisingly", highlighting an unexpected element.

on the other hand notably

Introduces a contrasting point with "on the other hand" and uses "notably" to signify an important exception.

by comparison unusually

Uses "by comparison" to show a contrast and "unusually" instead of "exceptionally", focusing on the rarity of the exception.

FAQs

How can I use "but exceptionally" in a sentence?

"But exceptionally" is used to introduce a notable exception or contrast to a previous statement. For example, "The project faced many challenges, but exceptionally, the team delivered ahead of schedule."

What phrases are similar to "but exceptionally"?

Similar phrases include "however remarkably", "yet outstandingly", or "though uniquely". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "but exceptionally", or can I use a simpler alternative?

In many cases, a simpler conjunction like "but" or "however" might be sufficient. Use "but exceptionally" when you want to emphasize the significance of the exception.

What is the difference between "but exceptionally" and "but unusually"?

While both introduce an exception, "but exceptionally" emphasizes a higher degree of noteworthiness or impact compared to "but unusually".