make an exception for

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an exception for" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used when someone or something is being given special treatment or an exemption from a rule or law. Example: The school board voted to make an exception for this student and allow him to take an extra course.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

You can make an exception for Thanksgiving.

The New York Times

Why make an exception for the Yankees?

The New York Times

State noise regulations make an exception for corn cannons.

The New York Times

Does she make an exception for her dying son?

The New Yorker

Can't you make an exception for "Oklahoma" or "South Pacific"?

The New York Times - Magazine

(Make an exception for Subaru and its wagon fanatics).

The New York Times

I will however make an exception for a retired clergyman.

The Guardian

Why did you make an exception for Charlottesville?

The Washington Post

But I'll make an exception for the Bentley Mulsanne.

The New York Times

It should refuse to make an exception for India.

The Economist

As Mr. Rafanelli said: "We make an exception for Granny.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an exception for", clearly state the reason for the deviation from the norm. This adds transparency and justifies the special treatment.

Common error

Avoid using "make an exception for" without a clear and justifiable reason. Overusing it can undermine the integrity of rules and policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an exception for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of granting special permission or deviating from a standard rule or policy. As demonstrated in Ludwig, this phrase communicates a specific action taken to treat someone or something differently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an exception for" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a deviation from a standard rule or policy. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, media, and business contexts. While it's generally acceptable to use, ensure that you provide a clear justification for the exception to maintain transparency and avoid undermining established rules. Alternatives such as "grant an exemption to" or "offer special consideration to" can be used depending on the specific context. Overall, the phrase serves to convey leniency or special treatment in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant an exemption to

Focuses on formally allowing someone to be free from a rule.

allow an exclusion for

Highlights the act of permitting something to be left out or not included.

permit a deviation for

Emphasizes allowing a departure from the norm or standard practice.

offer special consideration to

Indicates providing particular attention or leniency.

bend the rules for

Suggests a more informal and flexible approach to regulations.

make allowances for

Focuses on taking mitigating circumstances into account.

give preferential treatment to

Highlights favoring one party over others.

waive the requirements for

Indicates that specific requirements are not enforced in this instance.

relax the standards for

Suggests a temporary lowering of expectations.

accommodate the needs of

Focuses on adapting to specific necessities or requests.

FAQs

How can I use "make an exception for" in a sentence?

Use "make an exception for" when you want to indicate that you are deviating from a standard rule or procedure for a specific reason. For example: "We don't usually allow pets, but we will "make an exception for" service animals."

What are some alternatives to "make an exception for"?

You can use alternatives like "grant an exemption to", "allow an exclusion for", or "offer special consideration to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "make an exception for" someone or something?

It is appropriate to "make an exception for" when there are compelling reasons, such as extenuating circumstances, unique needs, or when adhering strictly to the rule would lead to unfair or undesirable outcomes.

What's the difference between "make an exception for" and "make an allowance for"?

"Make an exception for" implies a deviation from a rule or policy, while "make an allowance for"/"make allowances for" suggests taking mitigating circumstances into account. The first changes the rule, the second simply softens the judgment. They are synonyms, but used in slightly different contexts.