this is an exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is an exception" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a particular case does not follow the general rule or pattern being discussed. Example: "In most cases, we require a two-week notice for cancellations; however, this is an exception due to the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is an exception".

Independent

But this is an exception.

The Economist

This is an exception, though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But this is an exception that proves the rule.

The Guardian

"perfect triangle": This is an exception to footnote.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If so, surely he will realise that this is an exception?

The Guardian

But this is an exception: the associations are otherwise entirely American.

The Guardian - Arts

(Microsoft Office for the Mac, which I'm using to compose this, is an exception).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This was an exception.

The New York Times

But this was an exception.

Independent

This was an exception to the general course of reaction.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context to determine if a more formal or informal alternative to "this is an exception" is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "this is an exception" without clearly explaining the rule or pattern being deviated from. Without context, the statement becomes vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is an exception" functions as an exclamatory statement used to highlight a deviation from a general rule, norm, or expectation. As shown in Ludwig, it's frequently used to introduce cases that do not conform to the established pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is an exception" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that a particular instance deviates from a general rule or pattern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives such as "this is a special case" or "this is a unique situation" can be used, the key is to ensure clarity and context when making such a statement. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase without properly explaining the rule it deviates from. Therefore, clear context and precise language help convey meaning and maintain understandability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is a special case

Replaces "exception" with "special case", emphasizing the unique nature of the situation.

this is a unique situation

Substitutes "exception" with "unique situation", highlighting the distinctiveness of the circumstance.

this is an anomaly

Replaces "exception" with "anomaly", suggesting an irregularity or deviation from the norm.

this is a deviation from the standard

Indicates that the situation doesn't follow the established rules or standards.

this is an unusual circumstance

Highlights the uncommon or rare nature of the event.

this constitutes a departure from the norm

More formal rephrasing, indicating a deviation from the typical or expected behavior.

this is not the rule

Emphasizes that the situation is outside the scope of normal behavior.

this case is an outlier

Presents this scenario as statistically outside the norm.

this instance is different

Replaces the concept of “exception” with an emphasis on difference.

this is an oddity

Replace exception with an infrequent or strange occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "this is an exception" in a sentence?

The phrase "this is an exception" is used to indicate that a particular case deviates from a general rule or pattern. For example, "Normally, we don't allow pets, but "this is an exception" because the tenant requires a service animal."

What are some alternatives to saying "this is an exception"?

Instead of "this is an exception", you could use phrases such as "this is a special case", "this is a unique situation", or "this is an anomaly", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this is an exception"?

Yes, "this is an exception" is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the correct article "an" before the noun "exception", which begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "this is an exception" and "this is the exception"?

"This is an exception" implies that there may be other exceptions to the rule, while "this is the exception" suggests that this is the only exception. The use of "an" indicates one of possibly many, while "the" indicates a unique instance.