except in emergencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except in emergencies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify that a certain rule or condition does not apply during emergency situations. Example: "The building is locked after hours, except in emergencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

OUT Canned beans (except in emergencies).

The New York Times - Food

Current law forbids using a hand-held phone except in emergencies.

The New York Times

Visitors are extremely limited, and there are no phone calls, except in emergencies.

The New Yorker

However, they are reluctant to use food banks or borrow money from lenders, except in emergencies.

The Guardian

So was the Statue of Liberty, after officials ordered all craft off waterways except in emergencies.

The New York Times

6.35pm BST Fugate says to stay off of phone lines except in emergencies.

The Guardian

They forbade unnecessary visiting, except in emergencies, and smoking and sports.

The New York Times - Magazine

Danish veterinarians cannot dispense antibiotics except in emergencies, removing any financial incentives to overprescribe.

The New York Times

Because the storm barrier will be open, except in emergencies, it will only marginally affect tides.

The New York Times

The others remain open except in emergencies or to accommodate protests.

The New York Times

That kind of radical self-management does not happen at Toyota, except in emergencies.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "except in emergencies", clearly define what constitutes an emergency in the specific context to avoid ambiguity. This ensures that the exception is well-understood and consistently applied.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "except in emergencies". If a scenario frequently qualifies as an emergency, consider integrating it as a standard part of the procedure rather than an exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except in emergencies" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an exception or condition to a general rule or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. This allows for flexibility in regulations or guidelines, accounting for unforeseen critical situations where standard procedures may not be applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except in emergencies" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce exceptions to general rules. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media, as well as academic and formal contexts. The phrase provides flexibility in regulations, ensuring critical situations can be addressed effectively. When using the phrase, clarity is key: always define what constitutes an "emergency" in the specific context to avoid ambiguity. While generally neutral in tone, more precise language may be warranted in legal or highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless it's an emergency

This alternative simplifies the structure by using "unless" to introduce the exception, making it more concise.

save for emergencies

This option uses "save for" to indicate that emergencies are excluded from the general case.

barring emergencies

It offers a slightly more formal tone, employing "barring" to specify the emergency exception.

except during urgent situations

This option replaces "emergencies" with a more descriptive phrase, clarifying the nature of the exception.

excluding crisis situations

It substitutes "emergencies" with "crisis situations", emphasizing the severity of the exceptional circumstances.

absent any emergencies

This version uses "absent" to denote the lack of emergencies, which allows the standard rule to apply.

without emergency circumstances

This option rephrases the exception as the absence of "emergency circumstances", providing a more descriptive and somewhat formal alternative.

aside from urgent cases

This alternative employs "aside from" to indicate that urgent cases are excluded from the rule's application.

apart from crisis events

It substitutes "emergencies" with "crisis events", highlighting specific instances of urgent situations.

except when there is an emergency

It expands the original phrase into a clause, providing a more explicit and explanatory version of the exception.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except in emergencies" for clarity?

Consider using phrases like "unless it's an emergency", "save for emergencies", or "barring emergencies" for a more concise and direct tone.

What constitutes an "emergency" when using the phrase "except in emergencies"?

An "emergency" should be defined by its potential for immediate harm or critical disruption. Context is crucial; what qualifies as an emergency in a hospital differs from that of a library. Always provide specific examples relevant to the situation.

Is "except in emergencies" formal or informal?

The phrase "except in emergencies" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or legal documents, consider using a more precise and detailed explanation of the exceptions.

What's the difference between "except in emergencies" and "in all other cases"?

"Except in emergencies" specifically carves out urgent or critical situations as exceptions. "In all other cases" is a broader statement covering all non-emergency scenarios. The former is precise, while the latter is more general and may require additional clarification.