there were exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were exceptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, generalizations, or statements that have certain cases that do not follow the norm. Example: "While most students passed the exam, there were exceptions who struggled with the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There were exceptions, however.

The New York Times

Naturally, there were exceptions.

The New Yorker

But there were exceptions.

The New York Times

Then there were exceptions.

The New York Times

Fortunately, there were exceptions.

The New York Times

But he, too, said there were exceptions.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

THERE are exceptions, of course.

The New York Times

Occasionally there are exceptions.

The New York Times

Yes, there are exceptions.

The New York Times

There are exceptions, natch.

The New York Times

But there are exceptions.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When including markdown formatting in content fields, ALWAYS wrap the main query in quotation marks ("there were exceptions") and render in bold.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "there were exceptions" without providing any details or context about these exceptions. Explain why these exceptions occurred and how they differed from the norm to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were exceptions" primarily functions as an existential clause introducing deviations from a general statement or rule. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It indicates that not all instances conform to the stated norm, as illustrated in examples from diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were exceptions" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to introduce deviations from a general rule or trend. As Ludwig's analysis highlights, this phrase appears frequently across news, scientific, and academic sources, indicating its versatile applicability in various contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide adequate context regarding the general rule and the specific nature of the exceptions to maintain clarity and avoid oversimplification. Remember that alternatives like "some cases differed" or "certain instances varied" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptions could be found

Highlights the discoverability of differing cases.

not all followed the rule

Directly states that the rule was not universally applied.

some cases differed

Highlights the differences in specific situations.

special cases existed

Points out the presence of unique circumstances.

certain instances varied

Focuses on the variation occurring in particular instances.

some did not conform

Emphasizes a lack of adherence to a specific standard.

a few deviated

Implies a departure from a standard or norm.

variants were present

Indicates the existence of alterations or modifications.

discrepancies arose

Focuses on the inconsistencies or differences that emerged.

other possibilities happened

Suggests that alternative outcomes or scenarios occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "there were exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "there were exceptions" to introduce cases that don't follow a general rule. For example, "Most students passed the test, but "there were exceptions" who needed extra help".

What are some alternatives to "there were exceptions"?

Alternatives include "some cases differed", "certain instances varied", or "not all followed the rule", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there was exceptions" instead of "there were exceptions"?

No, "there was exceptions" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""there were exceptions"" because "exceptions" is a plural noun, requiring the plural form of the verb "to be".

What's the difference between "there were exceptions" and "there were some exceptions"?

The phrase ""there were exceptions"" is a more concise way of saying "there were some exceptions". Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings, but the former is often preferred for its brevity.