with the exception of a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with the exception of a few" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is true except for a small number of exceptions. Example: "All of the students passed the test with the exception of a few who struggled with the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Parking permits are required on all vehicles, with the exception of a few metered spaces.

Stanford University

With the exception of a few odds and ends, we have heard much of this before.

The Washington Post

We are not – with the exception of a few prominent new age hucksters – lifestyle gurus.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the exception of a few strongly migratory species, most cuckoos are short-winged.

Britannica

"With the exception of a few inefficient banks, studies show that everyone benefited.

The New York Times

It wants to pull out British special forces, with the exception of a few trainers.

The Guardian

With the exception of a few repairs, the hut remains unchanged since Williamson's death in 1977".

The Guardian

Yet with the exception of a few scattered lawsuits, no one is cracking down.

The Guardian - Money

With the exception of a few necessary instructions for the next day, Mme.

The New York Times - Arts

Growth in the world economy, with the exception of a few countries like China, is tepid.

The New York Times

I've been pretty good about it (with the exception of a few nights in my 20s).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with the exception of a few" to introduce specific cases that do not conform to a general rule, ensuring clarity by stating the rule first. For instance, "All students passed the exam, with the exception of a few who did not attend the review sessions."

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "with the exception of a few" in very casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "except for a few" or "but not all" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with the exception of a few" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement by introducing a limited number of exceptions. It provides nuance and precision, indicating that a general rule or observation holds true for the majority of cases, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with the exception of a few" is a versatile phrase used to qualify statements by acknowledging a small number of exceptions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. To maintain clarity, use this phrase to specify instances that diverge from a general rule, avoiding overuse in very casual conversations. Alternatives include "except for a small number" and "apart from some".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for a small number

Replaces "a few" with a more descriptive quantifier, slightly altering the tone to be more precise.

apart from some

Uses "apart from" as a substitute for "with the exception of", making it more informal.

save for a couple

Employs "save for" to mean "except for", changing the register to sound slightly archaic.

excluding several

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word, making the sentence more concise.

aside from a handful

Substitutes "a few" with "a handful", which implies a slightly smaller quantity.

barring a minority

Uses "barring" as a more formal alternative to "excepting", changing the register.

with limited exceptions

Rephrases to focus on the existence of exceptions, maintaining a formal tone.

but not all

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that the statement is not universally true.

almost entirely

Indicates a near-complete state, implying only minimal exceptions.

for the most part

Shifts the focus to the majority, implying that exceptions are negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "with the exception of a few" in a sentence?

Use "with the exception of a few" to indicate that a general statement is true except for a small number of cases. For example, "All the books were returned, "with the exception of a few" that are still overdue."

What can I say instead of "with the exception of a few"?

You can use alternatives like "except for a small number", "apart from some", or "save for a couple" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "with the exception of a few" or "with the exception of few"?

"With the exception of a few" is correct. The phrase requires the indefinite article "a" before "few" to indicate a small number of exceptions.

What's the difference between "with the exception of a few" and "with the exception of many"?

"With the exception of a few" indicates that only a small number of cases are excluded, while "with the exception of many" implies that a significant portion does not conform to the general rule.