made an exception

USAGE SUMMARY

"made an exception" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has allowed something to occur despite a normal rule or policy. For example, "Since we all wanted pizza, my mom made an exception and allowed us to order out for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In November, Wright made an exception.

The New York Times - Sports

But they made an exception for me.

The New York Times

He made an exception for his children?

The Guardian

"And we've never made an exception.

The Guardian - Film

Once, however, he made an exception.

The New Yorker

For Nick, school officials made an exception.

The New York Times

She made an exception in the nineteen-sixties.

The New Yorker

But he made an exception for love, which needed spending.

The Economist

He made an exception for the Australia party, however.

The New York Times

But the Americans made an exception on Friday.

The New York Times

If we made an exception for you, blah, blah, blah".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made an exception", clearly state the original rule or standard from which the deviation occurred to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "made an exception" without explaining the reason behind it; otherwise, the statement lacks transparency and may appear arbitrary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made an exception" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a standard rule or procedure was not followed in a specific instance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sports

8%

Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made an exception" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a rule or policy was deliberately not applied in a particular instance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its prevalence in news and media highlights its importance in describing real-world scenarios where deviations from norms occur. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the original rule and the justification for the exception enhances communication. The related phrases provide alternative ways to convey a similar meaning, while avoiding repetition. Keep in mind that context is important when choosing the alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviated from the rule

Emphasizes a departure from a previously established rule or standard.

bent the rules

Suggests a slight modification or relaxation of the rules, often informally.

relaxed the policy

Indicates a formal loosening of a set policy or procedure.

waived the requirement

Implies that a specific requirement was intentionally omitted or not enforced.

granted an allowance

Suggests a permission or concession that deviates from the norm.

gave special permission

Highlights the granting of permission that is not typically given.

disregarded the protocol

Indicates that established protocol was not followed in a particular situation.

set aside the regulations

Emphasizes a temporary or situational annulment of a specific regulation.

suspended the guidelines

Suggests that existing guidelines were temporarily paused or not applied.

carved out an exception

Highlights a specific, often carefully defined, exemption from a broader rule.

FAQs

How can I use "made an exception" in a sentence?

You can use "made an exception" to indicate that someone has allowed something that is normally not permitted. For example, "The teacher usually doesn't allow late submissions, but she "made an exception" for students who had a valid excuse".

What are some alternatives to saying "made an exception"?

Alternatives include "deviated from the rule", "waived the requirement", or "relaxed the policy", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "made an exception"?

Yes, "made an exception" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a situation where a rule or standard is not applied in a particular case.

What's the difference between "made an exception" and "granted an exemption"?

"Made an exception" generally refers to a one-time or situational allowance, while "granted an exemption" often implies a more formal and possibly ongoing exclusion from a rule or requirement.