special session

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "special session" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a meeting or gathering that is convened for a specific purpose, often outside of the regular schedule. Example: "The committee will hold a special session next week to discuss the urgent budget proposals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a special session changes things.

The New York Times

But ultimately there was no special session.

The New York Times

Legislators, meeting in special session, recoiled.

The New York Times

He called for a special session of Congress.

The New Yorker

A second special session is Mr. Perry's show.

The New York Times

Nixon responded by calling for a special session.

The New Yorker

The senate's special session would end at midnight.

The Economist

Lawmakers came back and passed them in a special session.

The New York Times

I thank the commission for arranging this special session.

The New York Times

Initially, Democratic legislative leaders said the special session was unnecessary.

The New York Times

"I don't want to call a special session just for the theater of calling a special session," he continued.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "special session" when the gathering deviates from a regular schedule to address urgent or specific matters.

Common error

Avoid using "special session" loosely for any unplanned meeting. Reserve it for formally convened assemblies addressing specific, often urgent, issues within a defined structure, such as legislative bodies or recognized organizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "special session" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it commonly refers to a specific type of meeting convened for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "special session" is a commonly used noun phrase denoting a formally convened meeting outside of a regular schedule to address specific issues. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. It conveys a neutral to professional tone, primarily serving to inform about particular events or procedures. Related terms include "emergency sitting" and "extraordinary session", offering similar but nuanced meanings. When using "special session", ensure it accurately reflects a formally scheduled assembly rather than just any unplanned meeting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specially convened meeting

Emphasizes the deliberate and specific reason for assembling the meeting, often for a particular purpose.

special assembly

A meeting arranged for a particular or exceptional reason, implying purpose and distinction.

extraordinary meeting

Implies a meeting convened outside the regular schedule for urgent matters, differing in the level of formality.

emergency sitting

Suggests a session called due to unforeseen circumstances demanding immediate attention; conveys a sense of urgency.

ad hoc assembly

Denotes a gathering formed for a specific, often temporary, purpose; differs in formality and scope.

irregular convocation

Indicates a formal assembly that does not adhere to the regular schedule, stressing the deviation.

unscheduled conference

Highlights the unexpected nature of the conference, focusing on the deviation from planned events.

unconventional gathering

Suggests a meeting that deviates from the norm in terms of format or purpose; highlights its uniqueness.

unforeseen concourse

Highlights the unexpected or unplanned nature of the gathering, often implying a spontaneous assembly.

bespoke symposium

Implies a highly customized and tailored symposium designed for a very specific purpose or audience.

FAQs

How is a "special session" different from a regular session?

A "special session" is convened outside the regular legislative calendar to address specific issues, unlike a regular session which follows a predetermined schedule and covers a broader range of topics.

When might a government call a "special session"?

Governments typically call a "special session" to deal with emergencies, budget crises, or other urgent matters that cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled session.

What's the difference between "emergency meeting" and "special session"?

While both address urgent matters, an "emergency meeting" is a more general term applicable to any urgent gathering, while "special session" specifically refers to a formal assembly of a legislative or governing body.

What are some synonyms for "special session"?

Alternatives include "extraordinary session", "emergency sitting", or "ad hoc assembly", depending on the specific context and formality required.