was an exemption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was an exemption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific instance or case where a rule or regulation does not apply to someone or something. Example: "Due to the unique circumstances, the committee decided that the applicant was an exemption to the standard eligibility criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There was an exemption already for religious institutions.

The New Yorker

There were people getting married so they wouldn't get drafted, because early on, being married was an exemption.

The Guardian - Books

On 26 July the treasurer said one change that he had canvassed during the election campaign was an exemption for contributions up to $1.9m for sale of small businesses and their assets by people over 55.

The Guardian

There was an exemption from the disclosure requirements for what was called "operational" (defined as "a purpose reasonably necessary for the operation" of the company) or "transactional" (defined as "a purpose necessary for effecting, administering or enforcing" a transaction between company and customer).

The New York Times

"They do not have the legal power to use full body scanners in this way," said Dowty, adding there was an exemption in the 1978 law to cover the "prevention and detection of crime" but the purpose had to be more specific than the "trawling exercise" now being considered.

The Guardian

However, in Directive 95/46/EC there was an exemption for research, namely that further processing of data for historical, statistical or scientific purposes is not to be considered as incompatible with the original purpose as long as Member States provide appropriate safeguards.

European Journal of Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Cameron says there is meant to be an exemption for this.

The Guardian

True, there's an exemption for those earning less than £20,000.

The Guardian - Opinion

(As Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has tried to point out, there's an exemption for places of worship).

The New Yorker

Whether a bank is entitled to similar protection when it is nationalised is by no means clear.Traditionally, there has been an exemption from immunity for states' commercial activities.

The Economist

Depending on how his will was written, there is likely to be an exemption from English inheritance tax and US estate tax on whatever he leaves his wife".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was an exemption" when referring to a specific instance in the past where a rule or law did not apply due to particular circumstances. Ensure the context clearly indicates what rule or law the exemption pertains to.

Common error

Avoid assuming an exemption applies broadly. Clearly define the specific conditions under which the exemption "was an exemption", as exemptions often have limitations and qualifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was an exemption" typically functions as a predicate nominative or part of a predicate describing a subject's status. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates that something or someone was not subject to a particular rule or requirement at a specific time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was an exemption" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to indicate that something didn't apply to a specific rule or law in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it commonly functions to provide clarification or justification. It's mostly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the specific context of the exemption is clear and well-defined to avoid misunderstandings. Consider alternatives like "constituted an exception" or "did not apply" for variety or emphasis. Remember that exemptions are often limited in scope, and broad assumptions should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constituted an exception

Replaces "exemption" with "exception", emphasizing the act of being excluded from a general rule.

was an allowed exception

Adds emphasis on the permissibility of the exemption.

represented a waiver

Uses "waiver" to highlight the act of intentionally relinquishing a requirement.

served as an exclusion

Focuses on the state of being excluded, using "exclusion" as a direct synonym.

was not subject to

Shifts the focus to the lack of obligation or requirement.

did not apply

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating the inapplicability of a rule.

was a permitted deviation

Indicates that the situation allows an unusual departure from standard practice.

was dispensed from

Emphasizes the act of being officially released from a duty or requirement.

fell outside the scope of

Indicates that something was not covered by a particular rule or law.

was granted immunity from

Highlights legal protection from a specific requirement or penalty.

FAQs

How can I use "was an exemption" in a sentence?

You can use "was an exemption" to describe a situation where a rule or regulation did not apply in the past. For example, "Due to the circumstances, the applicant "was an exemption" to the standard policy".

What's a good alternative to "was an exemption"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "constituted an exception", "represented a waiver", or "did not apply".

Is it correct to say "there was an exemption" or "there were an exemption"?

The correct phrasing is "there was an exemption" because "exemption" is a singular noun. "There were exemptions" would be used for multiple exemptions.

What is the difference between an exemption and an exception?

While similar, an "exemption" often implies a formal release from a requirement, whereas an "exception" might be a more general deviation from a rule. For example, "He "was granted an exemption" from the tax" suggests a specific legal provision, while "This case "constituted an exception" to the rule" indicates a unique circumstance.