only in exceptional cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only in exceptional cases" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You could use it to indicate that something is not the norm or not typical. For example, "In most circumstances, the team works together to solve problems, but only in exceptional cases do the members work independently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Current German law allows dual citizenship only in exceptional cases.

The New York Times

Only in exceptional cases is the former not accompanied by the latter.

The Guardian - Film

This occurs only in exceptional cases, such as Ben Thatcher's challenge on Pedro Mendes in 2006".

The Guardian - Sport

Offenders under 18 years of age are sentenced to prison only in exceptional cases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And they are not credible: only in exceptional cases do these companies verify identities.

The Economist

The filibuster, Mr. Sessions said, should be used only in exceptional cases, adding, "I hope we do not do that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But the government thinks this will only apply in exceptional cases," says Miller.

The Guardian - Money

Currently, this is only possible in exceptional cases.

The Guardian

There were 99 pregnant women being held there, a direct contravention of the Home Office's own policy that this should only happen in exceptional cases.

The Guardian - Opinion

This situation will typically only occur in exceptional cases.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Significance et al. [30] conclude that the RP approach is only possible in exceptional cases (i.e. when comparing a toll road with reliable travel times and a toll-free route with less reliable, often much longer travel times).

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only in exceptional cases", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes an 'exceptional case' to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid structuring sentences using "only in exceptional cases" in a way that obscures the actor or cause. Be direct about who or what is responsible for the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only in exceptional cases" functions as an adverbial modifier, limiting the scope of a statement. It indicates that the described action or situation applies specifically to unusual or infrequent circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only in exceptional cases" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adverbial modifier indicating that something applies to unusual or infrequent circumstances. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's used across a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing, making it a versatile addition to any writer's toolkit. To ensure clarity, remember to define what constitutes an 'exceptional case' in your context and avoid passive voice constructions that obscure the actor or cause. Consider using alternatives like "rarely" or "only in unusual circumstances" for variety, always tailoring your choice to the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely in exceptional cases

Replaces "only" with "merely", emphasizing the infrequency.

only in extreme cases

Substitutes "exceptional" with "extreme", suggesting a higher degree of rarity.

only in exceptional circumstances

Replaces "cases" with "circumstances", altering the context slightly.

only in abnormal cases

Changes "exceptional" to "abnormal", highlighting a deviation from the norm.

only in particular cases

Uses "particular" instead of "exceptional", focusing on specific instances.

only in uncommon cases

Replaces "exceptional" with "uncommon", indicating a lack of frequency.

only in unusual cases

Substitutes "exceptional" with "unusual", implying a deviation from the ordinary.

only in rare cases

Emphasizes the infrequency by using "rare" instead of "exceptional".

only in special cases

Replaces "exceptional" with "special", indicating specific or designated instances.

only in specific cases

Similar to "particular cases", focusing on defined instances.

FAQs

How can I use "only in exceptional cases" in a sentence?

Use "only in exceptional cases" to indicate that something happens rarely and not under normal circumstances. For instance, "The rule is strictly enforced, but "only in exceptional cases" are there any exceptions".

What's the difference between "only in exceptional cases" and "in most cases"?

"Only in exceptional cases" indicates something rarely happens, while "in most cases" implies something usually happens. They are near opposites in meaning.

What can I say instead of "only in exceptional cases"?

You can use alternatives like "rarely", "infrequently", or "only in unusual circumstances" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in exceptional cases only" instead of "only in exceptional cases"?

While "in exceptional cases only" is understandable, ""only in exceptional cases"" is the more common and grammatically standard phrasing.