but with one exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'but with one exception' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a situation or group of people in which one person or thing is not following the same pattern or rule as the rest. For example, "Everybody in the class had got full marks on their test, but with one exception - John only got a B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Certainly the documents released today were directly relevant to both inquiries but, with one exception, were not published on the Hutton Inquiry website.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was right on target, I thought, but with one exception.

The New York Times

Dozens of Los Angeles Superior Court judges also are up for reelection this year, but, with one exception, their names won't be on the ballot and they can be considered reelected because no challengers filed to run against them.

Los Angeles Times

Oh, it still cites "uncertainty" now and then, but with one exception we'll get to in a moment, its complaints still focus on Obama-era regulations that it wants overturned.

Los Angeles Times

But, with one exception, that has not happened.

The New York Times

But with one exception, her singing never showed her in less than top form.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The FRC concentrations in water collected from 63 piped water outlets varied significantly day to day, but all, with one exception, consistently exceeded WHO recommended minimum FRC concentrations for piped, treated water (0.5 mg/L chlorine).

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

But I have, with one exception noted below, succeeded.

The Guardian - Tech

But the films (with one exception) do have life in them, and their rich material commands your attention.

The New Yorker

It is surprising but true that -- with one exception -- none of the 50 people who helped Konrad Latte paid for it with their lives, or even by imprisonment.

The New York Times - Magazine

So to that end, I excluded from this list a handful of decent sounding, but dour looking, speakers (with one exception).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a more specific term might better highlight the nature of the exception. Replacing "exception" with "instance", "case" or "example" may improve precision.

Common error

Avoid using "but with one exception" without clearly specifying what the exception is. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Always make the exception explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but with one exception" functions as a conjunction phrase to introduce a qualification or limitation to a preceding statement. It indicates that a general statement is true, except in a single, specific instance, that is deviating from an established norm. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Arts

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but with one exception" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a specific exception to a general statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its suitability for both journalistic and technical writing. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to clearly define the exception when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "except for one case" or "with a single exception" can also be used, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig provides real world examples of the cases mentioned above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for one case

Focuses on the single instance that doesn't follow the rule.

with a single exception

Emphasizes the singularity of the exception.

save for one instance

Uses 'save for' to introduce the exception.

apart from one case

Highlights the separation of the exception from the norm.

barring one particular

Uses 'barring' to indicate the exclusion.

excluding one instance

Clearly states the exclusion of a specific case.

with the exception of one

A more formal way to phrase the exception.

outside of one instance

Focuses on what falls outside the single exception.

but for a single instance

Highlights the hypothetical impact of the exception's absence.

in all but one case

Focuses on the inclusivity of the statement with just one exclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "but with one exception" in a sentence?

Use "but with one exception" to introduce a single case that deviates from a general statement. For example, "All the students passed the exam, but with one exception, /s/except+for+one+case, John failed."

What are some alternatives to "but with one exception"?

You can use phrases like "except for one case", "with a single exception", or "apart from one case" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "with the exception of one" than "but with one exception"?

Yes, "with the exception of one" is generally considered a more formal alternative to "but with one exception". The latter is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "but with one exception" and "however"?

"However" introduces a contrast, while "but with one exception" introduces a specific deviation from a general rule. You would use "however" to contrast two ideas, and "but with one exception" to indicate a case that doesn't fit a pattern. For example, you might say: "Most of the team agreed with the proposal; however, the manager had some reservations". Whereas, "Everyone in the office is coming to the party, but with one exception, /s/except+for+one+case, Michael is out of town."