in exceptional situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in exceptional situations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to circumstances that are unusual or not typical, often implying that different rules or considerations may apply. Example: "In exceptional situations, we may allow for flexibility in our policies to accommodate unique needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

One of the many legal implications of "personhood" legislation, for example, is the criminalizing of abortion except in exceptional situations.

Huffington Post

As it turns out, six of the eight homeopathic studies in the final analysis by Shang used homeopathic medicines that were unlikely to be prescribed by a practicing homeopath (they prescribe their medicines based on the overall syndrome of physical and psychological symptoms the patient has, not just based on the diagnosed name of the disease, except in exceptional situations).

Huffington Post

"Heroism is acceptable in exceptional situations, but these must not last too long".

The New Yorker

So in exceptional situations it is natural for many different political forces to get together".

The New Yorker

But in "exceptional situations," which are "not in fact so very exceptional," he said, human rights and democracy take precedence.

The New York Times

"The constitution gives the president the right to issue decrees in exceptional situations, out of necessity," said Elhelw.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

If the resources in the information infrastructure used in such exceptional situations are poorly validated and coordinated, then the information that is produced may delay or even mislead response program implementation [4], [5].

Plosone

A Jewish mother whose life is threatened by a pregnancy is religiously obliged to abort, and some rabbinical authorities would allow abortion in other exceptional situations.

The New York Times

Interviews last for about an hour and should only in truly exceptional situations reach or exceed 2 h.   3.

European Journal of Futures Research

Interviews last for about an hour and should only in truly exceptional situations reach or exceed 2 h.

European Journal of Futures Research

Fasciola hepatica primarily involves the liver, however in some exceptional situations other organs have been reported to be involved.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in exceptional situations", follow it with a specific explanation or example to avoid ambiguity and ensure the reader understands the context.

Common error

Avoid using "in exceptional situations" as a blanket statement without providing concrete examples or explanations. This can weaken your argument and leave the reader confused about the specific circumstances you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in exceptional situations" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the circumstances under which an action or event occurs. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it is used to indicate that something happens only under specific, unusual conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in exceptional situations" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates specific circumstances where standard rules or procedures may not apply. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in both news and scientific contexts, though can be adapted to other contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear context or examples to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "under extraordinary circumstances" and "in unusual circumstances". To avoid overuse, consider more precise alternatives tailored to the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under extraordinary circumstances

This alternative emphasizes the unusual nature of the circumstances, suggesting a deviation from the norm.

in unusual circumstances

This phrase highlights the infrequency and atypical nature of the situations.

in rare cases

This alternative emphasizes the infrequency of the situations.

under special conditions

This alternative focuses on the specific and non-standard conditions that apply.

in extraordinary cases

This version underscores the remarkable and uncommon nature of the instances being considered.

in specific instances

This phrase pinpoints particular, unique occurrences where a certain action or rule applies.

when circumstances are exceptional

This rephrasing shifts the focus to a conditional statement about when something applies.

under atypical conditions

This alternative stresses the divergence from typical or normal conditions.

in select situations

This option implies a careful and deliberate selection of certain scenarios.

in particular instances

This phrase is similar to 'in specific instances' but emphasizes the individuality of each occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "in exceptional situations" to introduce circumstances where standard rules or procedures may not apply. For example: "In exceptional situations, the president can issue decrees without parliamentary approval".

What are some alternatives to saying "in exceptional situations"?

Alternatives include "under extraordinary circumstances", "in unusual circumstances", or "in rare cases", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to define what constitutes an "exceptional situation"?

While not always mandatory, defining or providing examples of what qualifies as an "exceptional situation" can enhance clarity and prevent misinterpretations. It helps the audience understand the specific conditions you're referring to.

How does "in exceptional situations" differ from "in normal circumstances"?

"In normal circumstances" refers to typical or expected conditions, while "in exceptional situations" denotes deviations from the norm, where different rules or considerations may apply.