special arrangement

USAGE SUMMARY

"special arrangement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific or unique agreement or plan that has been made. Example: The hotel made a special arrangement for our anniversary, with Champagne and roses waiting in our room upon arrival.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Produced by special arrangement with John Schreiber.

The New York Times

$100, two-person minimum, reservations by special arrangement.

The New York Times - Travel

Record shops were incensed by the special arrangement.

The New Yorker

By special arrangement with the Hartford Stage Company.

The New York Times

About 20 students returned home recently under a special arrangement because of the troubles in Syria.

The New York Times

A living room and a bath by special arrangement, Miss Mueller, please.

The New Yorker

This article has been provided by Salon through a special arrangement with Guardian Newspapers Limited.

The Guardian

Her show, "By Special Arrangement," will include a song or two from the new musical...

The New York Times

Under-12s not permitted in the camp or on safari (except by special arrangement).

The Guardian - Travel

Seven-course tasting menu, by special arrangement, $75; with wine pairings, $105.

The New York Times

A policy will not normally include country of principal residence unless by special arrangement.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional emails, use this phrase to politely indicate that you are making an exception for someone without committing to changing the policy for everyone.

Common error

Avoid using intensifiers like "very" or "extra" before the phrase (e.g., "a very special arrangement") as it can sound unprofessional or overly sentimental in a business or scientific context. Let the word "special" carry the weight of the exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "special" modifies the noun "arrangement". In the corpus provided by Ludwig, it typically serves as a direct object (e.g., "made a "special arrangement"") or part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., "by "special arrangement""). Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role as a flexible descriptor for non-standard circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "special arrangement" is a versatile and highly professional phrase used to describe any agreement, logistical setup or physical configuration that differs from the standard. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is a favorite among journalists and business professionals for its ability to convey a sense of exclusivity or customization without appearing overly informal. Whether it is used to describe a unique tax status in an article from The Independent or a specific molecular structure in a scientific paper, the phrase remains a reliable choice for highlighting exceptions. To maintain clarity, writers should ensure the specific nature of the "special" aspect is clear from the surrounding context, as the phrase itself is broad and multifaceted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unique agreement

Emphasizes that the pact is one of a kind rather than just non-standard

customized agreement

Common in business contexts to describe modified terms

particular deal

More informal and focused on commercial or transactional exchanges

bespoke arrangement

Uses a more formal, British-leaning adjective to suggest high customization

specific provision

Leans toward legal or contractual terminology

tailored setup

Focuses on the organizational or structural configuration of the deal

ad hoc arrangement

Suggests that the agreement was created for a specific purpose or as a temporary measure

exceptional measure

Stronger emphasis on the rarity and irregularity of the situation

individualized plan

Focuses on the personal or specific targeting of the arrangement

distinctive protocol

Implies a formal or procedural deviation from standard rules

FAQs

What does "special arrangement" mean in a professional context?

It refers to a "unique agreement" or an exception to standard rules made for a specific party or situation, often regarding logistics, payments or legal terms.

Can I use "special arrangement" in academic writing?

Yes, it is often used in science and research to describe a "specific configuration" of atoms, cells or data sets, as seen in publications from ScienceDirect or Nature.

What is the difference between a "special arrangement" and a "special agreement"?

While often interchangeable, a "special arrangement" usually refers to logistical or physical setups, whereas a "special agreement" more strictly refers to a formal contract or verbal pact.

Is the phrase "special arrangement" formal?

It is considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for business reports, news articles and academic papers, though for high-level legal documents, you might prefer "special proviso".