exceptional situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptional situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is outside of the norm or is particularly unique or unexpected. For example: "Due to the exceptional situation caused by the pandemic, many companies are allowing employees to work from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it is an exceptional situation.

Surface and Coatings Technology

"These appeals, hopefully, concern an exceptional situation.

The Guardian

W.M.D. cookbooks present such an exceptional situation.

The New York Times

"It's an exceptional situation," he said.

The New York Times

"It was a pretty exceptional situation this year.

The Guardian

She added: "These appeals, hopefully, concern an exceptional situation.

The Guardian

"It isn't an exceptional situation, I wouldn't have thought.

The Guardian

But it was "an exceptional situation, not a pattern or a practice".

The Economist

The French soccer league has grumbled about Monaco's exceptional situation in the past.

The New York Times - Sports

First, there is a sense of an exceptional situation in which a special moral code applies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He added that the measures would end "once the exceptional situation ended".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceptional situation", ensure the context clearly explains why the situation is considered exceptional to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific details or comparisons to typical scenarios to highlight the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptional situation" as a generic descriptor for any problem. Reserve it for cases that genuinely deviate significantly from the norm, and always provide context to justify its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional situation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. As suggested by Ludwig, it denotes a state of affairs that deviates from the norm. Examples include "This is an exceptional situation" or "in an exceptional situation."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptional situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe circumstances that deviate from the norm. As Ludwig AI explains, it appropriately highlights unique or unexpected events. Its usage spans various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific domains. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to provide context when employing this phrase, and avoid overuse in general contexts. Alternatives like "unusual circumstance" or "rare occurrence" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. This detailed analysis should assist in using the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual circumstance

Replaces "situation" with "circumstance" and "exceptional" with "unusual".

rare occurrence

Focuses on the infrequency of the situation.

unique case

Highlights the distinctiveness of the situation.

extraordinary event

Emphasizes the remarkable nature of the event.

peculiar instance

Stresses the odd or strange nature of the instance.

singular circumstance

Highlights that the circumstance is one of a kind.

abnormal event

Points out the deviation from the norm.

atypical scenario

Suggests that the scenario is not typical or representative.

unforeseen development

Highlights the unexpected nature of the development.

special case

Indicates that the situation requires different handling.

FAQs

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

You can use "exceptional situation" to describe a scenario that deviates from the norm. For example: "Due to the "exceptional situation" caused by the flood, the city declared a state of emergency."

What are some alternatives to "exceptional situation"?

Alternatives include "unusual circumstance", "rare occurrence", or "unique case", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "extraordinary and exceptional situation"?

Yes, saying "extraordinary and exceptional situation" can be redundant because both words convey a similar meaning. It's generally better to choose one adjective that best fits the context or rephrase the sentence.

What distinguishes an "exceptional situation" from a "difficult situation"?

While a "difficult situation" implies a challenge or problem, an "exceptional situation" suggests that the circumstances are unusual, unique, or deviate significantly from what is typical. The "exceptional situation" may or may not be difficult, but it is inherently out of the ordinary.