was exempt from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was exempt from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is free from a particular obligation, rule, or requirement. Example: "The organization was exempt from paying taxes due to its non-profit status."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maryland was exempt from the Emancipation Proclamation.

The New York Times

He was exempt from military service because of deformed toes.

The New York Times

For decades, the church was exempt from water charges.

The Guardian

A hemophiliac, he was exempt from military service during World War II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Historically, anyone made a freeman was exempt from tolls and given special privileges.

Independent

No one was exempt from the work, even though my brothers were toddlers.

The New Yorker

Appellant responded that it was exempt from such taxes under the First Amendment.

Cornell University

Lyndall Gordon has observed about their relationship, Emily Hale was exempt from low desire.

Princeton University

With only 10 months in the United States, Sayyid was exempt from the standardized tests.

The New York Times

Along with his Catholic faith, his belief in this project was exempt from his "chronic detachment".

The Guardian

Mr. Lazio contended that such spending was exempt from the agreement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was exempt from" when you want to clearly state that a person, group, or thing does not have to follow a particular rule or is not subject to a certain requirement.

Common error

Avoid assuming an exemption applies broadly when it is actually limited to specific conditions. Clearly define the scope of the exemption to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was exempt from" functions as a predicate adjective followed by a preposition. It asserts that a subject possessed the characteristic of being free from a specific obligation, duty, or requirement. Ludwig confirms the common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was exempt from" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that someone or something did not have to follow a specific rule or was not subject to a requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. When writing, it's essential to ensure the exemption's scope is clear to avoid any potential misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "was not subject to" or "was excused from" can be used depending on the specific context and desired nuance. Its usage frequency is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not subject to

Emphasizes the absence of obligation or requirement.

was not required to

Directly states that something was not mandatory.

was excused from

Suggests a formal release from a duty or task.

was free from

A more general way to express being without something.

was immune to

Implies a natural or granted freedom from something negative.

was excluded from

Highlights being deliberately left out of something.

was relieved of

Focuses on the removal of a burden or responsibility.

was dispensed from

Suggests a formal or official release from an obligation.

was outside the scope of

Implies that something falls outside the boundaries of a rule or regulation.

didn't have to

An informal way to indicate a lack of obligation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was exempt from"?

Alternatives include "was not subject to", "was excused from", or "was free from", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was exempt from"?

Yes, "was exempt from" is grammatically correct. It's commonly used to indicate that someone or something did not have to adhere to a specific rule or requirement.

What's the difference between "was exempt from" and "was immune to"?

"Was exempt from" generally implies a formal or legal exemption, while "was immune to" suggests a natural or inherent resistance or protection.

Can "was exempt from" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "was exempt from" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and concisely conveys the idea of being free from a particular obligation.