with a few exceptions

USAGE SUMMARY

'with a few exceptions' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that is typically true, but there are some situations where it does not apply. For example, "Outdoor activities are a great way to stay healthy, but with a few exceptions they should be avoided during the winter months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(With a few exceptions).

The Guardian - Books

The agreement, with a few exceptions, is satisfactorily good.

Science of The Total Environment

The national media, with a few exceptions, largely ignore it.

The Guardian

With a few exceptions, it is true, but still misleading.

The New York Times

With a few exceptions, though, I've not found any.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With a few exceptions the women were atypically off form.

The New York Times - Arts

With a few exceptions, Oliver's poems don't end in thunderbolts.

The New Yorker

But with a few exceptions, the music is transient.

The New York Times - Tech

With a few exceptions, they want Kosovo ethnically pure.

The Guardian

With a few exceptions, you won't find them here.

The New York Times - Arts

With a few exceptions, the others suffer by comparison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with a few exceptions", be prepared to clarify those exceptions if necessary for clarity. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "with a few exceptions" as a way to weakly support a claim that is mostly false. Ensure the statement is generally true before adding this qualifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a few exceptions" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is generally true but has some instances where it does not apply. As Ludwig AI confirms, it acknowledges the existence of some anomalies or deviations from the norm, adding nuance and precision to the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a few exceptions" is a very common and grammatically correct qualifier used to add nuance and precision to general statements. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the exceptions are well-understood or not crucial to the overall point and avoid overstating a generality. Related phrases include "except for some cases" and "save for a few exceptions". This phrase should be suitable for formal writing and be used to indicate a general truth but not in every case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with limited exceptions

Emphasizes that the exceptions are not only few, but also restricted in scope or number.

barring a few exceptions

Highlights the act of excluding those specific exceptions from a general statement.

save for a few exceptions

Focuses on what is being saved or excluded from the general rule.

except for some cases

Uses "cases" to specify that the exceptions are specific instances.

aside from several exceptions

Indicates that there are multiple exceptions, more than just a few.

excluding some situations

Highlights the act of removing specific situations from consideration.

with rare exceptions

Emphasizes the infrequency of the exceptions.

in most instances

Shifts the focus to the majority of instances where the statement holds true.

generally speaking

Indicates that the statement is a broad generalization.

for the most part

Highlights the predominant aspect of the statement being true.

FAQs

How can I use "with a few exceptions" in a sentence?

You can use "with a few exceptions" to qualify a general statement, indicating that it's mostly true but not in every case. For instance, "Most fruits are sweet, with a few exceptions like lemons".

What are some alternatives to saying "with a few exceptions"?

Alternatives include phrases like "except for some cases", "save for a few exceptions", or "barring a few exceptions", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to list the exceptions instead of saying "with a few exceptions"?

Listing specific exceptions is more precise but can be impractical if there are many. Using "with a few exceptions" is suitable when the exceptions are either well-understood or not crucial to the overall point.

Can "with a few exceptions" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "with a few exceptions" is appropriate for formal writing as it adds a level of accuracy and acknowledges potential limitations to a general statement. However, ensure the context is clear and the exceptions don't undermine the main argument.