exceptional request

USAGE SUMMARY

'exceptional request' is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a request that is beyond the usual norm. For example, "The employee was so productive that the company granted her exceptional request for a bonus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A senior military official said the American headquarters in Baghdad expected interrogators and their commanders to request exceptional permission for any approach that was not in the pre-approve category.

The New York Times

After a lengthy discussion the decision was that Brenda was not exceptional and her request declined.

BMC Health Services Research

The head of the Swiss bank himself, Peter Braunwalder, eventually gave the go-ahead with "our exceptional agreement to this request".

The Guardian - Business

But they at first demurred: "RC is fully aware that his request is exceptional, particularly in view of the amount involved.

The Guardian - Business

Although the Supreme Court rejected Ms Virani's plea, the case resulted in India easing some restrictions on euthanasia after the court's landmark ruling that life support could be legally removed for some terminally ill patients in exceptional circumstances, providing the request was from family and supervised by doctors and the courts.

BBC

Under exceptional circumstances and upon request, the Editors may grant a delay of up to 6 months for deposition or the release of deposited data.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

As PCs may be confronted with very unusual misuse (injection e.g)., a complete accurate composition should be provided on request in exceptional cases.

Clinical Toxicology

David Cameron is to try to build up a cross-party consensus with the aim of guaranteeing that ministers will be able to veto the publication of documents under freedom of information requests in exceptional circumstances.

The Guardian

The withdrawn proposal for children would have offered "physicians the possibility, in exceptional cases, of allowing a request for euthanasia by a minor between 12 and 16 against the wishes of their parents".

The New York Times

However, the court found that the Health Authority had in practice adopted a 'blanket ban' and recommended the authorities introduced a fair and consistent policy for decision making that adequately assessed exceptional cases by considering each request for treatment on its individual merits.

European Journal of Health Economics

The congressman intervened in similar efforts by other Napa-area wine-growing communities in recent years, and he said there was nothing exceptional about his support for the request that included the region where his vineyard is located.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceptional request", ensure the context clearly explains why the request is considered exceptional. Providing specific details helps avoid ambiguity and justifies the deviation from standard procedures.

Common error

Avoid labeling every deviation from routine as an "exceptional request". Reserve the term for truly unique or extraordinary situations to maintain its impact and credibility. Overuse can dilute its meaning and lead to unnecessary bureaucracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional request" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "exceptional" modifies the noun "request". It specifies that the request is not ordinary and needs special consideration. Although Ludwig provides examples, none of them have 100% match, therefore, the analysis is limited.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptional request" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a request that deviates from the standard. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the limited number of exact matches in the search results suggests that its usage may not be overly frequent. Alternative phrases such as "unusual request" or "special request" can be used to convey a similar meaning. When employing "exceptional request", it's crucial to provide context that justifies the deviation from routine procedures, and to avoid overuse in order to preserve its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual request

Focuses on the infrequency or atypical nature of the request.

special request

Emphasizes the need for particular attention or handling.

extraordinary request

Highlights the remarkable or uncommon aspect of the request.

out-of-the-ordinary request

Indicates that the request falls outside the standard procedures or expectations.

atypical request

Directly points out that the request is not typical or standard.

unique request

Stresses the singularity or distinctiveness of the request.

particular request

Suggests the request has specific requirements or conditions.

uncommon plea

Implies a more urgent or emotional tone compared to a simple request.

irregular application

Shifts the context towards a formal application process, suggesting deviation from standard procedures.

rare appeal

Highlights the infrequency of such requests, often implying a formal or serious context.

FAQs

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

You can use "exceptional request" to describe a situation where a standard procedure cannot be followed, for example: "Due to the unique circumstances, we are processing this as an exceptional request".

What are some alternatives to "exceptional request"?

Alternatives include "unusual request", "special request", or "extraordinary request". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "exceptional request"?

It is appropriate to use "exceptional request" when the request significantly deviates from established norms or requires special handling due to unusual circumstances.

What distinguishes an "exceptional request" from a regular request?

An "exceptional request" differs from a regular one because it doesn't fit within standard guidelines and requires additional justification, review, or approval. This might be due to its complexity, urgency, or unique nature.