exceptional background

USAGE SUMMARY

"exceptional background" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who has had a particularly impressive set of life experiences. For example, "She has an exceptional background that includes attending an Ivy League school and completing an internship in the mayor's office."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She is famously high-energy and driven and has an exceptional background as Google's 20th employee.

The New York Times

Rachel Seiffert Seiffert's novel, The Dark Room, shortlisted for the Booker prize, draws on the insights of an exceptional background.

The Guardian

Thomas G. Stockham Jr. Fellowship of 2019-2020 - given annually to a graduate student in "recognition of outstanding academic record, exceptional background, and promising future".

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Exceptions are extremely rare and are granted only when it can be demonstrated that you have a truly exceptional background in a subject and are already familiar with available 200, 300 level course work.

Duke University

Exceptions are extremely rare and are granted only when it can be demonstrated that you have a truly exceptional background in a subject and are already familiar with available 200- or 300-level course work.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Comments Intended for students with exceptional backgrounds in physics/math.

Cornell University

PHYS 3327 covers similar material, but is aimed at students with exceptional backgrounds in physics/math.

Cornell University

Buss defends what she calls "the Basic Intuition," according to which "simply because they have exceptional backgrounds, certain wrongdoers have a different moral status from that of more 'privileged' wrongdoers who perform the very same type of acts" (p. 337).

SEP

There are students who come to Shakespeare from exceptional backgrounds with parents who continually explain the world to them, rich life-experiences, precocious intellectual endowment, wide reading, artistic temperament, or the perception of someone twice their age.

Huffington Post

Unable to field all requests, I gravitated toward those with exceptional academic backgrounds, which seemed like the right priority.

The Washington Post

He was the sole African-American serving in the Senate, yet his connection to the struggle for dignity and equality seemed tenuous, his background exceptional and exotic even to black voters.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications, use "exceptional background" to highlight a breadth of impressive experiences rather than just specific skills.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptional background" as a vague descriptor. Instead, follow it with concrete details about the person's experiences and qualifications to make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional background" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically modifies a noun (often referring to a person) to indicate that they possess a history, set of experiences, or qualifications that are notably superior or unusual. Ludwig confirms this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptional background" is a common descriptor used to highlight a person's impressive history and qualifications. Grammatically sound, it serves to emphasize suitability and potential. Ludwig AI analysis affirms its correct and versatile usage across various domains, predominantly in academia, news, and scientific writing. While effective, it's crucial to provide concrete details following the phrase, preventing it from becoming a vague platitude. Alternatives like "remarkable experience" or "impressive history" offer subtle shifts in emphasis, but the core concept remains consistent: conveying a uniquely advantageous history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable experience

Focuses on experience rather than overall background.

extraordinary qualifications

Highlights the skills and credentials gained from the background.

impressive history

Highlights the historical aspect of the background.

unparalleled expertise

Emphasizes specialized knowledge derived from the background.

distinguished record

Emphasizes formal achievements and accomplishments.

outstanding credentials

Highlights the certifications and endorsements from the background.

notable achievements

Zeroes in on specific achievements within the background.

uncommon past

Stresses the uniqueness and rarity of the person's history.

unique upbringing

Specifically refers to the formative years and childhood experiences.

singular preparation

Focuses on the readiness and training the background provides.

FAQs

How can I use "exceptional background" in a sentence?

You can use "exceptional background" to describe a person whose experiences and qualifications are notably impressive. For example, "The candidate's "exceptional background" in both engineering and business makes them uniquely qualified for this role".

What are some alternatives to "exceptional background"?

Alternatives include "remarkable experience", "impressive history", or "distinguished record". The best choice depends on the specific aspect of the background you want to emphasize.

Is it redundant to say "very exceptional background"?

Yes, using "very" with "exceptional" is generally redundant. "Exceptional" already implies something beyond ordinary. A better approach would be to provide specific details about the person's experiences to illustrate how exceptional their background is.

When is it appropriate to use "exceptional background" in a professional context?

It is appropriate to use "exceptional background" in situations where you want to highlight a candidate's wide range of impressive experiences and qualifications, such as in a cover letter or performance review.