with a single exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a single exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that everything is true or applicable except for one specific case or instance. Example: "All the participants agreed to the terms, with a single exception being John, who had prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With a single exception, the identified firing positions were on Russian soil.

The Guardian

What we've been hearing, with a single exception, points to a fundamental agreement with the bill.

The Guardian

These "positive" mutant proteins were unaffected for any measured kinetic properties, with a single exception.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Not one character is named; with a single exception, none of the settings are identified beyond the barest details.

The New Yorker

Property". Many of the students' names sound antiquated and (to this author's ear) aristocratic; with a single exception, all are male.

Harvard University

"All our sales have been to theatergoers," she noted, with a single exception, which was a purchase by an actor in one of the plays.

The New York Times

With a single exception, every dissenting judge was appointed by a Democratic president and every one else was appointed by a Republican.

The New York Times

That "amazes me," Franken said, since the D.A. on the show, Hamilton Burger (yes, Ham Burger) had, with a single exception, "lost every week".

The New Yorker

With a single exception, he describes the three- and four-star officers who have run those wars as decent and well-meaning.

The New York Times - Books

However, the changes in stability observed in the molten globule are much smaller and the Φ-values calculated are (with a single exception) below 0.4.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Of these, one (the NHS pledge) has already figured prominently in the Tory campaign, and the others, with a single exception (welfare), are negotiable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a single exception" to clearly indicate that a statement is almost universally true, but acknowledge the existence of a specific differing case. This adds precision and honesty to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with a single exception" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "The rule was followed, with a single exception", opt for the more direct "Everyone followed the rule, with a single exception".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a single exception" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement by introducing a qualification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the statement is generally true, but there is one specific instance to which it doesn't apply.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Huffington Post

1%

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a single exception" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a specific deviation from a general statement, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, adding precision to writing across different registers. Although shorter alternatives exist, "with a single exception" effectively communicates the singularity of the exception. It is widely used in both Science and News & Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with one exception

Shortens the phrase by removing "a single", making it more concise.

except in one instance

Replaces 'exception' with 'instance', slightly altering the formality.

barring one exception

Uses 'barring' to introduce the exception, offering a slightly more formal tone.

save for one exception

Uses 'save for' to indicate the exception, similar in meaning but with a different preposition.

apart from one exception

Uses 'apart from' to set aside the exception, maintaining a similar level of formality.

excluding one instance

Replaces 'exception' with 'instance' and uses 'excluding' to specify the case not included.

almost without exception

Emphasizes the rarity of exceptions, implying near universality.

but for one case

Uses 'but for' to introduce the single differing case.

with the exclusion of one

More formal and emphasizes the act of excluding a particular item.

in almost every case

Shifts the focus to the generality of the statement, implying a rare exception.

FAQs

What does "with a single exception" mean?

The phrase "with a single exception" means that something is true or applicable in almost all cases, but there is one specific instance where it is not true or does not apply.

How can I use "with a single exception" in a sentence?

You can use "with a single exception" to qualify a general statement. For example: "All employees are required to attend the meeting, "with a single exception" for those on approved leave".

Are there shorter alternatives to "with a single exception"?

Yes, shorter alternatives include "with one exception", or "except for one case". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "with a single exception" the same as "almost always"?

While similar, "with a single exception" is more precise. "Almost always" implies a high probability but doesn't specify that only one exception exists. "With a single exception" highlights the rarity and singularity of the differing case.