lots of exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules or generalizations that have many deviations or special cases. Example: "While the policy is straightforward, there are lots of exceptions that need to be considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Countries such as India and Indonesia want lots of exceptions for their farm goods.

The Economist

"If the U.S. delays this indefinitely, or starts having lots of exceptions, I think the global standards will be damaged," he said.

The New York Times

Yes, there are lots of exceptions, but too many experienced employees are trapped in the easy-money past and have stopped trying to keep up.

The New York Times

Among the differences between the two sites: InsureMyTrip.com presents details about each policy in a format that's easier to read and understand -- which is important when buying insurance, where lots of exceptions lurk in the fine print.

The New York Times - Travel

Sure, there are lots of exceptions, like Tami Taylor, the self-possessed working mom of "Friday Night Lights," or Hannah Horvath, the outspoken memoirist of "Girls," or the intelligent women of "Mad Men," whose struggles and flaws at least parallel those of the men swarming around them.

The New York Times - Magazine

The more that regulations are complicated by lots of exceptions to appease the industry, the more ammunition the industry will have to oppose them as indecipherable red tape.Sheila Bair Former chairperson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Washington, DC SIRR – You asserted that the costs of the financial reforms are "staggering," but provided no evidence to support that assertion.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

As he had told me a few days before, "I don't see any way to respect religious freedom except to make a lot of exceptions from laws that apply to everybody else" — say, by permitting members of the Native American Church to ingest peyote.

The New Yorker

(Carter tends to treat believers of all persuasions almost generically, as coequal "religionists"). As he had told me a few days before, "I don't see any way to respect religious freedom except to make a lot of exceptions from laws that apply to everybody else"—say, by permitting members of the Native American Church to ingest peyote.

The New Yorker

These proposals are weakened by a lot of exceptions.

The Economist

One problem with this principle, as Merry admits, is that there are a lot of exceptions.

The New York Times - Books

"There are a lot of exceptions to the rules in this offense, I think we've got some intelligent guys and they care to learn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lots of exceptions", ensure the context clearly defines what the general rule or guideline is before highlighting the exceptions. This improves clarity and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid presenting a situation as having "lots of exceptions" when the exceptions are actually more prevalent than the rule itself. If exceptions dominate, consider framing it as a different rule altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of exceptions" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "exceptions". As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. It typically modifies a generalization or rule to indicate that there are numerous deviations or special cases.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lots of exceptions" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a rule or guideline has numerous deviations. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for general use, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain contexts. While "lots of exceptions" appears most frequently in News & Media and scientific writing, it's important to ensure clarity by clearly defining the rule before highlighting its exceptions. Consider alternatives like "many exceptions" or "numerous exceptions" for a more formal tone. Be mindful of overstating the rule if exceptions are more frequent than the rule itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many exceptions

Replaces "lots of" with "many", offering a more formal tone.

numerous exceptions

Substitutes "lots of" with "numerous", indicating a large number of exceptions in a more emphatic way.

a plethora of exceptions

Replaces "lots of" with "a plethora of", emphasizing abundance.

a multitude of exceptions

Emphasizes the large quantity of exceptions.

frequent exceptions

Highlights how commonly exceptions occur, rather than the number.

various exceptions

Highlights the diversity of the exceptions.

several exceptions

Indicates more than a few, but fewer than 'many'.

ample exceptions

Suggests that there are enough exceptions to be significant.

an abundance of exceptions

Stresses that exceptions are plentiful.

a great deal of exceptions

Similar to "lots of", but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "lots of exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "lots of exceptions" to describe a rule or guideline that has many deviations or special cases. For example: "While the policy is straightforward, there are "lots of exceptions" that need to be considered."

What are some alternatives to "lots of exceptions"?

You can use alternatives like "many exceptions", "numerous exceptions", or "a plethora of exceptions" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "many exceptions" or "lots of exceptions"?

"Many exceptions" is generally considered more formal than ""lots of exceptions"". The best choice depends on the context and the desired tone of your writing.

What does it mean when something has "lots of exceptions"?

It means that while there's a general principle or rule, there are many specific cases where that rule doesn't apply or needs to be modified. This can sometimes weaken the effectiveness or clarity of the original rule.