scarcely any exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely any exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are very few exceptions to a general rule or statement. Example: "In this region, there are scarcely any exceptions to the rule that all vehicles must stop at red lights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any exceptions?

The New York Times

Managers handle any exceptions.

Harvard Business Review

Are there any exceptions to this rule?

The New York Times

Are There Any Exceptions For Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

Forbes

Are there any exceptions?

Huffington Post

Are there any exceptions to these rules?

HuffPost

Check any exceptions by clicking on Manage Exceptions.

WikiHow

Now there are scarcely any.

Independent

Scarcely any electricity or water.

The Economist

Politically, it has scarcely any.

The Economist

Huddersfield are scarcely any better.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely any exceptions" to clearly indicate that while a general rule exists, there are very few deviations from it. This emphasizes the strength and broad applicability of the rule.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely any exceptions" when there are actually a significant number of exceptions. Using phrases like "some exceptions" or "several exceptions" is more appropriate in such cases to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely any exceptions" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is generally true but admits the possibility of very few deviations. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability and usability of this phrase, as demonstrated in several examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely any exceptions" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English. It serves to qualify a statement, indicating that while it's generally true, very few deviations might exist. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity, and its register is considered neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While not as common as alternatives like ""almost no exceptions"" or ""very few exceptions"", it provides a nuanced way to acknowledge minimal deviations from a general rule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Almost no exceptions

Replaces "scarcely" with "almost", slightly reducing the emphasis on the rarity of exceptions.

Hardly any exceptions

Substitutes "scarcely" with "hardly", maintaining a similar degree of infrequency.

Very few exceptions

Replaces "scarcely any" with "very few", providing a more direct and common alternative.

Barely any exceptions

Uses "barely" instead of "scarcely", emphasizing the minimal existence of exceptions.

Practically no exceptions

Emphasizes the near absence of exceptions by using "practically".

Virtually no exceptions

Highlights the almost complete lack of exceptions with "virtually".

Exceptions are rare

Reformulates the phrase to focus on the rarity of exceptions themselves.

Exceptions are minimal

Shifts the focus to the small number or insignificance of exceptions.

There are almost no exceptions

Adds the explicit statement "there are" for clarity, slightly altering the structure.

Exceptions are few and far between

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate the infrequency of exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcely any exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcely any exceptions" to indicate that a rule or statement is generally true with very few deviations. For example, "In this region, there are scarcely any exceptions to the rule that all vehicles must stop at red lights."

What are some alternatives to "scarcely any exceptions"?

Alternatives include "almost no exceptions", "hardly any exceptions", or "very few exceptions". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "scarcely any exceptions" formal or informal?

"Scarcely any exceptions" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "very few exceptions" due to its more straightforward phrasing.

What's the difference between "scarcely any exceptions" and "no exceptions"?

"Scarcely any exceptions" implies that there might be a very small number of exceptions, while "no exceptions" suggests that the rule is absolute and without any deviations. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.