save in exceptional cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"save in exceptional cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that a certain statement is generally true, but not always so, due to certain exceptions. For example: "The Library is normally open from 8am to 8pm, save in exceptional cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

Legal

General Usage

Academic Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They had been freed practically with no land nor money, and, save in exceptional cases, without legal status, and without protection.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The review also condemns the lengthy court delays involved in care cases and calls for a statutory, six-month limit to be imposed on reaching decisions in child protection cases "save in exceptional circumstances".

The Guardian

Another is that federal courts should not exercise their discretionary power 'to interfere with or embarrass threatened proceedings in state courts save in those exceptional cases which call for the interposition of a court of equity to prevent irreparable injury which is clear and imminent * * *.' Douglas v. City of Jeannette, supra, 319 U.S. at page 163, 63 S.Ct. at page 881.

Cornell University

"The human brain, except in exceptional cases, can't remember a string of 16 solos.

The New York Times - Arts

The DHE said it only intervenes in "exceptional" cases.

The Guardian

In exceptional cases, refugees could go to Israel.

The New York Times - Magazine

Currently, this is only possible in exceptional cases.

The Guardian

In exceptional cases, soft power can rebrand a nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Current German law allows dual citizenship only in exceptional cases.

The New York Times

In exceptional cases the title alone is enough.

The Guardian - Books

Or, in exceptional cases: "Oh, that's hysterical".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "save in exceptional cases", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes an 'exceptional case' to avoid ambiguity. Be as specific as possible.

Common error

Avoid using "save in exceptional cases" as a blanket statement without defining what qualifies as 'exceptional'. This can weaken your argument or instruction. Instead, provide specific examples or criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "save in exceptional cases" functions as a qualifier, limiting the scope of a preceding statement. It introduces conditions under which the statement does not apply. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a statement is generally true, but not always so, due to certain exceptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "save in exceptional cases" is a qualifier used to limit the scope of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable, signaling that a general rule has specific exceptions. It is most frequently found in news, academic, and legal contexts, requiring careful definition of what constitutes an 'exceptional case' for clarity. While the phrase is acceptable, consider using more common alternatives like "except in unusual circumstances" for broader understanding. The phrase maintains a formal register and aims to set boundaries on a statement, acknowledging potential deviations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save for rare instances

Swaps 'exceptional' for 'rare' and slightly simplifies the wording.

except under unusual circumstances

Replaces "save in" with "except under", emphasizing the condition.

except in particular situations

Replaces "exceptional" with "particular", offering a more general exception.

apart from special circumstances

Uses "apart from" and "special" to convey the idea of deviation from the norm.

barring extraordinary circumstances

Uses "barring" to indicate exclusion of specific situations.

with the exception of extraordinary events

Explicitly states the presence of exceptions for extraordinary events.

unless there are unusual cases

Directly states the condition for an exception.

outside of typical situations

Focuses on the atypical nature of the exceptions.

excluding unforeseen events

Highlights events that could not be predicted as the reason for the exception.

absent remarkable instances

Emphasizes the rarity and noteworthiness of the exceptions.

FAQs

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

Use "save in exceptional cases" to indicate that a statement is generally true, but there are specific, unusual situations where it might not apply. For example, "The library is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, save in exceptional cases such as public holidays".

What are some alternatives to "save in exceptional cases"?

Alternatives include "except in unusual circumstances", "barring extraordinary circumstances", or "unless there are unusual cases".

Is it better to use "except in" or "save in" exceptional cases?

"Except in" is more common and generally preferred for clarity. "Save in" is less frequent but acceptable, especially in formal or legal contexts. Both indicate an exception to a general rule.

How can I make my use of "save in exceptional cases" more precise?

To improve precision, clearly define what constitutes an "exceptional case". Instead of leaving it open to interpretation, provide specific examples or criteria that would trigger the exception.