by exception only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by exception only" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to qualify a statement that is generally true, but that does not apply in certain cases. For example, "This rule applies to everyone, by exception only."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Undergraduate students may be appointed as Undergraduate Student Instructors (UGSIs) by exception only.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If encryption becomes a mainstream feature of email providers, not an exception only sought out by the security savvy, there's a far lower barrier to entry — and more users can benefit.

TechCrunch

With a few exceptions, only a handful of squadrons with ASW aircraft remained by January 1946.

Wikipedia

For most companies it feels like innovation can only happen by exception and heroic efforts, not by design.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Christie's measure, which he introduced last year, imposes a pay ceiling of $175,000, with case-by-case exceptions permitted only for the largest districts.

The New York Times

The revolution itself was smoothly accepted by Brasenose, with the exception of only a handful.

Wikipedia

The revision to the guidelines would bar such a tactic by saying that the "suspect exception" may only be invoked "when the member of the news media is the focus of the criminal investigation for conduct going beyond ordinary news-gathering activities".

The New York Times

Yes, everything is overshadowed by Asterix – the only exception would be Tintin – but that's not a bad thing as it's only going to make us better known and people who read our Asterix may be curious about our other work, which can only be a good thing.

The Guardian - Books

All staphylococcal type strains were distinguishable by rpoB; the only exception was the S. equorum subspecies that shared the same sequence.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Under the British National Health Service (NHS), all secondary mental healthcare within these four boroughs is provided at no cost to consumers by SLAM, the only exception being people seeking exclusively private healthcare [ 15].

BMC Psychiatry

You can dream of soothing in these sanctuaries, but they are, with exceptions, by invitation only.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by exception only" to clearly indicate that a rule or policy is generally applicable, but with very specific and limited deviations. This helps to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by exception only" as a vague qualifier. Always clearly define what the exceptions are to prevent misinterpretation and ensure the statement remains meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by exception only" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the preceding statement. It restricts the scope of the statement, indicating that it applies in general but has specific, limited exceptions. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by exception only" is an adverbial phrase used to qualify a statement, indicating that it generally holds true except in specific, limited cases. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is relatively rare, it is found in diverse contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific literature. To ensure clear communication, always clearly define the exceptions when using this phrase. When considering an alternative, one might use "only in exceptional cases" or "under special circumstances" for similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only in exceptional cases

Emphasizes that the action or allowance is limited to very few, unusual situations.

only under special circumstances

Highlights that specific, non-standard conditions must be met.

on an exceptional basis

Focuses on the ad-hoc, non-routine nature of the allowance.

subject to specific exceptions

Indicates that exceptions exist, but are clearly defined and limited.

only if explicitly permitted

Stresses the need for express authorization for any deviation from the norm.

as a rare exception

Highlights how infrequently the allowance or action occurs.

with limited exceptions

Indicates that there are exceptions but not many.

barring extraordinary circumstances

Emphasizes that only highly unusual situations would allow for a deviation.

except where otherwise stated

Points to a specific place where deviations from the general rule are documented.

by special arrangement only

Focuses on the need for a specific agreement or understanding to allow the deviation.

FAQs

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

Use "by exception only" to specify that something is generally not permitted or does not happen, except in specific, unusual circumstances. For example, "Undergraduate students may be appointed as Undergraduate Student Instructors (UGSIs) "by exception only"".

What are some alternatives to "by exception only"?

Alternatives include "only in exceptional cases", "only under special circumstances", or "on an exceptional basis", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "with exceptions" or "by exception only"?

"With exceptions" is a broader statement, simply indicating that exceptions exist. "By exception only" specifies that the exceptions are rare and require specific justification. Choose the phrase that best reflects the frequency and nature of the exceptions.

What does "by exception only" imply about a rule or policy?

It implies that the rule or policy is intended to be strictly enforced and that deviations from it are highly unusual and require specific approval or justification. It suggests a strong adherence to the standard procedure, with very limited flexibility.