except under certain circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except under certain circumstances" is correct and is very commonly used in written English.
It's a way of expressing that something is generally true, but there may be certain exceptions. For example: "Everyone is required to wear a face covering inside the building, except under certain circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Federal campaign rules restrict politicians from "coordinating" their advertisements with outside groups except under certain circumstances.

The New York Times

This situation exists in large part because of both states' antiquated, regressive and now patently out of touch abortion laws, which criminalise the procedure except under certain circumstances.

The Guardian

In such cases, lobbyists were required to disclose the names of the coalitions that hired them, but not the members, except under certain circumstances.

The New York Times

"Many caucusgoers will want to know which candidate a potential delegate will support," said Jonathon Prouty, a spokesman for the state G.O.P. "And while delegates may declare their candidate of choice, except under certain circumstances, they will not be bound to this preference throughout the process".

The New York Times

Mr Drake said that following the 9/11 attacks, laws passed against the electronic surveillance of US citizens without a warrant, except under certain circumstances, were bypassed.

BBC

Foss Patents concludes that the legal precedent set by the federal court in October is likely to mean patent holders will "increasingly" seek to litigate in jurisdictions such as Germany ��� "where injunctive relief is a given once infringement has been proven (except under certain circumstances specific to standard-essential patents)".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Successful applicant will be expected not to watch any women's sports, excepting, under certain circumstances, beach volleyball, and to have seen "The Passion of the Christ" on opening weekend.

The New Yorker

5. NASA announced that "under certain circumstances" liquid water has been found on Mars.

TechCrunch

"In common with many manufacturing facilities, we do not allow photography on site except by authorised people and only under certain circumstances.

BBC

A penalty shot, where a player from the non-offending team is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except the goaltender, may be awarded under certain circumstances.

Wikipedia

Rumour abounds under certain circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except under certain circumstances" to introduce specific conditions or situations where a general rule does not apply. This adds precision to your writing and avoids overgeneralizations.

Common error

Avoid using "except under certain circumstances" without providing clarity on what those circumstances are. Vague exceptions can weaken your argument or instruction. Always specify the conditions whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except under certain circumstances" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, clause, or sentence. It specifies a condition that limits the applicability of the statement being made, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except under certain circumstances" functions as an adverbial phrase used to introduce exceptions to a general rule, providing a more precise and nuanced statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across various domains, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is deemed correct and understandable, it is important to specify those 'certain circumstances' for enhanced clarity and to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like "with some exceptions" or "subject to specific conditions" can be useful for stylistic variation. The analysis shows its frequency is uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with some exceptions

This is a more concise alternative, focusing on the presence of exceptions.

excluding certain cases

Directly states that some cases are not included in the general rule.

subject to specific conditions

Highlights the conditional aspect, emphasizing that the rule depends on the conditions.

save for particular situations

Emphasizes that the general rule holds true except in specific situations.

unless otherwise specified

Implies that a different instruction or rule might apply in particular cases.

except when otherwise noted

Indicates that deviations from the rule will be explicitly indicated.

apart from select instances

Highlights the selective nature of the exceptions.

with noted qualifications

Suggests that the rule is subject to specific limitations or conditions.

barring unforeseen events

Focuses on unexpected occurrences that might alter the outcome.

notwithstanding some caveats

Acknowledges potential objections or limitations to the rule.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "except under certain circumstances" for variety?

Alternatives include "with some exceptions", "subject to specific conditions", or "unless otherwise specified". The best choice depends on the specific context. See also "with some exceptions", "subject to specific conditions", and "unless otherwise specified".

Is it better to list the circumstances instead of saying "except under certain circumstances"?

In most cases, yes. Listing the specific circumstances provides clarity and strengthens your statement. However, if the list is extensive or complex, "except under certain circumstances" may be used as a placeholder, with the circumstances detailed elsewhere.

What's the difference between "except under certain circumstances" and "under certain circumstances"?

"Except under certain circumstances" indicates an exception to a general rule. "Under certain circumstances" simply indicates a condition that must be met for something to occur. The presence of "except" reverses the logical framing.

How formal is the phrase "except under certain circumstances"?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is commonly used in legal, academic, and professional writing, but also appears in news articles and general informational texts.