in extraordinary cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in extraordinary cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to situations that are unusual or exceptional, often in legal, medical, or formal contexts. Example: "In extraordinary cases, the committee may grant exceptions to the standard procedures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Exceptions may be granted only in extraordinary cases.

Stanford University

One can easily conjure a policy that prohibits abortion as a general matter but allows for exceptions in extraordinary cases.

The New York Times

The filibuster arguably served a useful function when it allowed the minority to block action in extraordinary cases where its views were especially intense.

University of California, Berkeley

During this time, the employee agrees not to give two weeks' notice, and employers don't ask them to leave right away (except for in extraordinary cases).

Harvard Business Review

A 53-year-old Jewish legal editor from Midtown Manhattan circled 7, telling Judge Sand later that execution could be appropriate in extraordinary cases such as terrorism.

The New York Times

They said that it was risky to take out a gun during a car chase, and that officers usually shoot from moving vehicles only in extraordinary cases.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

See Heckler v. Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 468, n. 12 (1983) (Court will consider ground in support of judgment not raised below only in extraordinary case); accord, Granfinanciera, S. A. v. Nord berg, 492 U.S. 33, 39 (1989).

Cornell University

"In truly extraordinary cases, I reserve the prerogative to vote no on confirmation or even to vote to deny an up-or-down vote," said Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee.

The New York Times

But in some extraordinary cases, a child may have exceptionally close attachments to grandparents or other adults, and arbitrarily ending those bonds could cause a child substantial psychological harm.

The New York Times

In less extraordinary cases, this, unfortunately, regularly proves to be much more difficult.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

In some extraordinary cases, this involves not only the recovery of particular gene sequences but of entire genomes.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more specific term could replace "extraordinary cases" for clarity, such as 'in emergency situations' or 'when dealing with unprecedented events'.

Common error

Avoid using "in extraordinary cases" for common or slightly unusual situations. Reserve it for truly exceptional scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in extraordinary cases" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier. It indicates a condition or situation under which a particular action, rule, or exception applies. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in extraordinary cases" is a common prepositional phrase used to denote exceptional or unusual situations where standard rules or procedures might not apply. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's prevalent in formal contexts like academia, news, and scientific writing, emphasizing its role in qualifying statements and introducing exceptions. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes an 'extraordinary' case to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "in exceptional cases" or "under special circumstances" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in exceptional cases

Replaces "extraordinary" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

in rare instances

Emphasizes the infrequency of the cases.

under special circumstances

Highlights that specific conditions are required.

in unusual circumstances

Focuses on the uncommon nature of the situation.

in specific instances

Suggests a case-by-case consideration.

on rare occasions

Highlights the infrequent occurrence.

in particular situations

Emphasizes the uniqueness of each scenario.

under unique conditions

Focuses on the distinct set of conditions.

as an exception to the rule

Positions the case as deviating from the norm.

when circumstances are exceptional

Emphasizes the role of exceptional circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "in extraordinary cases" in a sentence?

Use "in extraordinary cases" to indicate that something is permitted or likely to happen only when the situation is highly unusual or exceptional. For instance, "In extraordinary cases, the usual rules may be suspended".

What can I say instead of "in extraordinary cases"?

You can use alternatives like "in exceptional cases", "in rare instances", or "under special circumstances" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in extraordinary cases" or "in ordinary cases"?

"In extraordinary cases" is used when something deviates from the norm, whereas "in ordinary cases" describes typical situations.

What's the difference between "in extraordinary cases" and "under normal circumstances"?

"In extraordinary cases" refers to unusual, exceptional situations, while "under normal circumstances" indicates typical, everyday conditions.