hardly any exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly any exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are very few exceptions to a general rule or statement. Example: "In this policy, there are hardly any exceptions to the guidelines provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Every President, with hardly any exceptions, will take as much power as he gets.

The New Yorker

And here's the thing: Right-wing hack economists are, with hardly any exceptions, hard-money, hyperinflation-is-around-the-corner types.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The striking feature is the fact that nominal wages (as measured by the hourly total labour cost) have always grown above the CPI with hardly any exception, even during the most severe crisis years 2011 2012.

SERIEs

Columnists are hardly an exception.

The New York Times

The philosopher Gilles Deleuze remarked: "The most vigilant censor could hardly take exception – except perhaps to question a certain atmosphere of suffocation and suspense".

The Guardian - Books

The rat data are an exception; hardly any values larger than 0.6 were observed.

BMC Genomics

Hardly any technology (with the exception of steam or electric energy) had a similar impact on modern society ever.

Futures

Any exceptions?

The New York Times

Managers handle any exceptions.

Harvard Business Review

Are there any exceptions?

Huffington Post

There are few gourmet restaurants, no trendy nightclubs and, with the exception of horror writer Stephen King, hardly any celebrities.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly any exceptions", ensure that the context clearly establishes the general rule to which the exceptions are rare. This provides a stronger emphasis on the rule's validity.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly any exceptions" when there are actually a significant number of exceptions. Overstating the rule can undermine your credibility and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly any exceptions" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is generally true with very few deviations. Ludwig confirms its correctness, making it suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly any exceptions" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to indicate that there are very few exceptions to a general rule or statement. While the phrase is most common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, it can be used in various settings to add precision and clarity. Alternatives include "very few exceptions" and "almost no exceptions". When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the general rule to which the exceptions are rare to avoid overstating the rule and undermining your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost no exceptions

Replaces "hardly" with "almost", slightly reducing the emphasis on the rarity of exceptions.

very few exceptions

Substitutes "hardly any" with "very few", offering a more direct and common alternative.

scarcely any exceptions

Replaces "hardly" with "scarcely", maintaining a similar tone and meaning.

virtually no exceptions

Uses "virtually" to emphasize that the exceptions are negligible.

practically no exceptions

Emphasizes that the exceptions are so rare as to be inconsequential.

rarely any exceptions

Replaces "hardly" with "rarely", focusing on the infrequency of exceptions.

exceptions are uncommon

Rephrases the statement to focus on the uncommon nature of the exceptions themselves.

exceptions are minimal

Highlights the small number or impact of the exceptions.

negligible exceptions

Uses "negligible" to indicate that the exceptions are too small to matter.

exceptions are few and far between

Emphasizes both the scarcity and infrequency of the exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly any exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly any exceptions" to indicate that a rule or statement is generally true, with very few cases where it doesn't apply. For example, "In this company, there are "hardly any exceptions" to the dress code policy."

What phrases are similar to "hardly any exceptions"?

Similar phrases include "very few exceptions", "almost no exceptions", and "scarcely any exceptions". These all convey the idea that a rule is generally followed.

Is it better to say "hardly any exceptions" or "few exceptions"?

"Hardly any exceptions" and "few exceptions" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "hardly any exceptions" might slightly emphasize the rarity of exceptions more strongly.

Can I use "hardly any exceptions" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly any exceptions" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to indicate that a rule or guideline is generally followed, with very few deviations.