exceptions may apply

USAGE SUMMARY

'exceptions may apply' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that there may be unusual circumstances that could change the general rules or conclusions of a situation. For example, "The program's assessment period usually lasts for one year, but exceptions may apply in cases of extenuating circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Students who enter as junior transfers are generally ineligible to change into the College of Chemistry, though some exceptions may apply.

University of California, Berkeley

Other rules and exceptions may apply (including those for military families) so ask your tax professional if you moved during the year, lived in a state that changed their sales tax rates during the year, or for more information.

Forbes

Certain exceptions may apply.

Huffington Post

Exceptions may apply in the case of emergencies.

Huffington Post

The most common age limit for enrolling a child in coverage is age 26, but exceptions may apply.

Huffington Post

Businesses that fail to provide notice to employees face penalties of $2,000 to $5,000 for a first violation, and $5,000 to $10,000 for each subsequent violation, though some exceptions may apply.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Other FERPA exceptions may also apply.

Stanford University

Exceptions to this policy may apply where the accommodation requested cannot be provided at the specified exam time, or a change in the time of the exam is, in fact, the accommodation needed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Notable exceptions where different models may apply include the origin of slow-evolving orphan genes [ 3] or the formation of some novel genes from noncoding DNA [ 15].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The Code describes situations when a "fair use" argument may apply as an exception to copyright.

Yale University

"Any alien may apply for asylum, without exception," Ms. Lagoa said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exceptions may apply" to avoid making overly broad statements. It adds nuance and acknowledges that real-world situations are often complex.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptions may apply" as a crutch. If you find yourself adding it to almost every statement, consider being more specific about the likely exceptions instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptions may apply" functions as a disclaimer. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to acknowledge that a general rule or statement might not be true in all circumstances. Examples from Ludwig show its broad applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

22%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptions may apply" is a useful disclaimer that adds nuance to general statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that a rule or guideline may not be true in all situations. It's common in news, academic, and general writing. Use it when you want to avoid overly broad claims, but don't overuse it. If you know the specific exceptions, it's better to list them directly. Alternatives include phrases like "certain conditions may apply" or "some restrictions may be in force". This phrase provides an important level of qualification to statements across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain conditions may apply

Focuses on specific conditions that could change the outcome.

some restrictions may be in force

Highlights potential limitations.

certain limitations could exist

Emphasizes possible constraints on the general rule.

qualifications might be necessary

Indicates that the statement needs to be qualified under certain circumstances.

specific caveats might arise

Implies caution, noting specific things to be aware of.

special circumstances may exist

Highlights unusual conditions that might affect the application of a general rule.

certain disclaimers may be relevant

Underlines the importance of being aware of disclaimers.

particular stipulations could be pertinent

Stresses the importance of being aware of certain conditions.

unique provisions may be available

Focuses on different rules for different situations.

individual arrangements can be made

Stresses the availability of ad hoc arrangements that can be made.

FAQs

What does "exceptions may apply" mean?

It indicates that while a statement is generally true, there might be particular situations where it isn't applicable. In other words, there are "certain conditions may apply".

When is it appropriate to use "exceptions may apply"?

Use it when you want to acknowledge that a rule or guideline might not be universal and that "some restrictions may be in force".

What are some alternatives to saying "exceptions may apply"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "certain limitations could exist", "qualifications might be necessary", or "special circumstances may exist".

Is it better to list the exceptions instead of using "exceptions may apply"?

If you know the specific exceptions, it's better to list them for clarity. However, if the exceptions are numerous or unpredictable, "exceptions may apply" serves as a useful disclaimer.