take exceptional measures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take exceptional measures" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to actions that go beyond the usual or standard procedures, often in response to a significant issue or challenge. Example: "In light of the recent security threats, the organization decided to take exceptional measures to ensure the safety of its employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If action in the Security Council is blocked, the UK would still be permitted under international law to take exceptional measures in order to alleviate the scale of the overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe in Syria by deterring and disrupting the further use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.

The Guardian

The move comes as a statement released by the Government this afternoon stated that even if military action is blocked by the UN Security Council, "the UK would still be permitted under international law to take exceptional measures in order to alleviate the scale of the overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe in Syria".

Independent

The UK prime minister's office said in a statement that the UK could still take "exceptional measures including targeted military intervention" even if the Security Council could not agree.

BBC

Post-Paris attacks, French leaders have made public their intent to take "exceptional measures" to win this war.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We are facing exceptional times, and we are taking exceptional measures".

The New York Times

Local governments in states across the country were taking exceptional measures to protect their populations.

The Guardian

Pakistani officials say they have taken exceptional measures to ensure his safety, including ringing the prison with paramilitary Punjab Rangers.

The Guardian

In the best literary tradition, she introduces her account of taking exceptional measures to avert a drastic fate with a biblical overview: "In the beginning, an entrepreneur created a company, and the company was private and profitable," she writes.

The New York Times

At the same time, the number of engineering graduates in developed countries is in steep decline.A few companies are so squeezed that they are already taking exceptional measures.

The Economist

Pierre whose young son from his previous marriage lives with him and Charlotte—has had Charlotte followed by a detective; he's aware of her past infidelities, but is apparently unaware of her ongoing affair, and Charlotte takes exceptional measures to avoid detection.

The New Yorker

Pierre — whose young son from his previous marriage lives with him and Charlotte — has had Charlotte followed by a detective; he's aware of her past infidelities, but is apparently unaware of her ongoing affair, and Charlotte takes exceptional measures to avoid detection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take exceptional measures", ensure the context clearly establishes the need for actions beyond standard procedures. This justifies the deviation from the norm and adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "take exceptional measures" for routine situations. Its impact is diluted if applied too broadly. Reserve it for scenarios genuinely demanding extraordinary responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take exceptional measures" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the action of implementing specific, often urgent or unusual, steps in response to a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take exceptional measures" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, particularly in news and formal contexts, to describe actions exceeding standard procedures in response to critical situations. Ludwig AI validates its usability. While alternatives like "adopt extraordinary actions" or "implement drastic steps" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for truly significant scenarios to maintain its impact. Overuse can diminish its effectiveness. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and importance, signaling the need for extraordinary intervention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take drastic action

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the sense of urgency and severity.

adopt extraordinary actions

Replaces "measures" with "actions" and "exceptional" with "extraordinary", emphasizing the unusual nature of the response.

implement emergency protocols

Indicates a response specifically to an emergency situation, using established protocols.

implement drastic steps

Substitutes "exceptional" with "drastic", indicating a more forceful or radical approach.

undertake extraordinary procedures

Replaces "measures" with "procedures", suggesting a more structured and formal approach.

enact unique strategies

Implies employing strategies that are not commonly used.

initiate special operations

Changes "measures" to "operations", implying a coordinated and strategic effort.

apply singular methods

Highlights the distinctiveness of the methods employed, setting them apart from typical practices.

employ unconventional tactics

Uses "tactics" instead of "measures", suggesting a strategic and possibly unorthodox approach.

resort to extreme expedients

Replaces "measures" with "expedients" and "exceptional" with "extreme", conveying a sense of urgency and limited options.

FAQs

What does "take exceptional measures" mean?

The phrase "take exceptional measures" means to implement actions or strategies that go beyond the normal or standard procedures, typically in response to a crisis, emergency, or unusual situation requiring significant intervention.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "take exceptional measures"?

It's appropriate to use "take exceptional measures" when standard procedures are insufficient to address a situation, and there is a clear need for extraordinary actions to achieve a desired outcome. For example, governments might "adopt extraordinary actions" during a public health crisis.

What are some alternatives to "take exceptional measures"?

Some alternatives to "take exceptional measures" include "implement drastic steps", "undertake extraordinary procedures", or "initiate special operations", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "take exceptional measures" a formal or informal phrase?

"Take exceptional measures" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for professional, news-related, or official contexts. It conveys a serious tone and is not typically used in casual conversation.