make a special case

USAGE SUMMARY

'make a special case' is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.It is typically used to describe an instance where someone or something is treated differently from the usual, or to refer to a particular situation or set of circumstances.
For example, "The business manager decided to make a special case for the new employee and grant her a bonus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Any existing qualification that falls outside these "national suites" of qualifications will have to make a special case if it is to be funded.

The Guardian

Why can the village make a special case for S.U.V.'s? "My registration says my Mountaineer is a passenger vehicle," Mr. Luce said.

The New York Times

An MP leading calls for Sir Fred Goodwin to be stripped of his knighthood urged the Whitehall committee which reviews honours to make a special case of the disgraced former banker today.

Independent

Conservative MP Matthew Hancock - one of 11 MPs, peers and members of the Scottish Parliament to speak out on the issue in the Daily Mail today - said he hopes to persuade the committee to make a special case of Goodwin.

Independent

He also rejected what he called the "ghettoisation" of music and refused to make a special case for "modern" music as a thing apart: he was as ardent a champion of many living composers as of Brahms or Debussy.

The Guardian - Music

The government refused to break its own incomes policy to make a special case for the miners (even though the rest of the TUC had agreed that miners could be treated as a special case).

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

org.uk ) 17 and 18 December Tosca Torture, murder and attempted rape make for unseasonal fare, but this Tosca is directed by the great soprano (and Tosca of her time) Catherine Malfitano and is worth making a special case for.

Independent

At a January 1974 meeting of the National Economic Development Council - the tripartite body which then represented government, unions and employers - Murray proposed, with the Confederation of British Industry's backing, that the TUC would guarantee the miners be made a special case.

The Guardian

While the other stars of The Avengers are likely to make no more than $2-6m 2-6m through wageachnd profithroughng deals, the famously frugal Marvel appears to have made a special case for DowagesJr.

The Guardian - Film

What is particularly jarring, at least for some, is the blanket argument that football is so riddled with cynically violent play and wholesale cheating that making a special case against the animalistic impact of biting a fellow adult is to lose any sense of perspective.

Independent

"The court of appeal had previously made a special case for Brian Haw and Barbara Tucker that they could continue to sleep on the grass area controlled by the GLA on a temporary basis while their case was referred back to the high court for conclusion in this matter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a special case" when you want to emphasize that a specific situation warrants different handling or treatment due to unique circumstances. Provide clear justification for the exception to avoid perceptions of unfairness.

Common error

Avoid using "make a special case" frequently without proper reasoning. Overusing it can undermine the consistency and fairness of rules and policies. Ensure there's a legitimate and defensible reason for each exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a special case" functions as a verb phrase that typically introduces an exception to a general rule or policy. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase signifies treating something or someone differently due to unique or compelling circumstances. For example, "The school decided to make a special case for the student with disabilities."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a special case" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies treating something or someone differently due to specific, often compelling, circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to justify deviations from established rules or procedures. Predominantly found in news and media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's important to provide a clear rationale for the exception to avoid perceptions of unfairness. Alternatives such as "grant an exception" or "give preferential treatment" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While versatile, overuse without justification should be avoided to maintain consistency and fairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treat as an exception

Focuses on how something is treated, implying a deviation from standard procedure.

grant an exception

This alternative highlights the act of allowing an exception to a rule or policy, differing in its emphasis on formal permission.

afford special consideration

Emphasizes thoughtful attention given to unique circumstances, slightly more formal.

make an allowance

This alternative stresses the action of permitting something that might not usually be allowed.

give preferential treatment

This suggests favoring one entity over others, differing by explicitly mentioning bias or favor.

carve out an exception

Suggests actively creating an exception, often in a legal or regulatory context.

bend the rules

Implies a slight deviation from established rules, often unofficially.

give a break

More informal, implying leniency or overlooking a fault.

distinguish

Highlights the act of recognizing something as different, deserving of separate handling.

set a precedent

This alternative suggest that some decision, in this case, something about treating somebody as special, will serve as an example or basis for similar situations in the future.

FAQs

How to use "make a special case" in a sentence?

You can use "make a special case" to indicate that someone or something is being treated differently due to specific circumstances. For example, "The manager decided to make a special case for the employee with the family emergency."

What can I say instead of "make a special case"?

You can use alternatives like "grant an exception", "give preferential treatment", or "treat as an exception" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "make a special case"?

It's appropriate to "make a special case" when unique circumstances warrant deviation from standard rules or policies. This should be done judiciously and with clear justification to maintain fairness and consistency.

What are the potential drawbacks of "making a special case"?

"Making a special case" can lead to perceptions of unfairness, erode the consistency of rules, and potentially set undesirable precedents. It's crucial to carefully weigh the benefits against these potential drawbacks.