by exception

USAGE SUMMARY

"by exception" is an idiom that is commonly used in written English.
For example, you could say, "The rule is that no one is allowed to be in the park after dark, but by exception, the parkkeepers can remain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"You can't do it by exception.

The New York Times

"That used to be something we did by exception.

The New York Times

But, most important, "federation by exception" would ultimately cease to be an exception.

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps the most important element of the "federation by exception" would be its strong democratic anchor.

The Guardian - Business

Fiscal and certain other economic policies should be subject to activation of a eurozone "federation by exception".

The Guardian - Business

"The more these things are tackled through normality, with some little exceptions at the top, rather than absolutely, by exception, the better.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is an empowered, management-by-exception model.

Forbes

A four-factor structure of psychopathy positively correlated with passive leadership behavior, namely passive-management-by-exception and laissez-faire, but negatively correlated with individual consideration.

Personality and Individual Differences

Three women were endangered by exceptions to the incumbent-protection spirit of redistricting.

The New York Times

The statement is technically known as "pleading by exceptions and substitutions".

The Guardian

Manning to plead guilty by exceptions and substitutions, the government may still elect to prove up the charged offenses".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by exception" to clearly indicate a deviation from a standard rule or procedure. This signals that something is not the norm and requires special consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "by exception" loosely, without clearly defining the specific conditions or cases to which the exception applies. This can lead to ambiguity and inconsistent application of the rule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by exception" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier. It indicates that an action or situation occurs as a deviation from a general rule or standard procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by exception" is a common prepositional phrase used to denote deviations from standard rules or procedures. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing. When using "by exception", ensure the conditions of the exception are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "as an exception" and "with the exception of", offering similar meanings with slight structural variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an exception

Replaces 'by' with 'as an', slightly altering the structure while maintaining the core meaning.

with the exception of

Adds 'with the' and 'of', making it a more explicit exclusion.

except for

A shorter, more direct way to express exclusion.

save for

A somewhat archaic but similar alternative.

apart from

Indicates something is not included or considered.

excluding

A gerund form focusing on the act of exclusion.

with certain reservations

Indicates agreement or acceptance but with some doubts or exceptions.

under special circumstances

Highlights the specific conditions that allow for a deviation.

in exceptional cases

Focuses on the rarity of the deviation.

on a case-by-case basis

Emphasizes individual evaluation rather than a blanket rule.

FAQs

How can I use "by exception" in a sentence?

Use "by exception" to indicate that something is permitted even though it's typically against the rules. For example, "The park is normally closed at night, but "by exception", special events can be held".

What's the difference between "by exception" and "except for"?

"By exception" highlights that something is an allowed deviation from a norm, while "except for" simply excludes something from a general statement. They are similar but not perfectly interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to saying "by exception"?

You can use alternatives such as "as an exception", "with the exception of", or "under special circumstances" depending on the desired nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to use "by exception"?

Yes, "by exception" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a condition or allowance.