with the sole exception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with the sole exception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or applicable in all cases except for one specific instance. Example: "Everyone in the class passed the exam, with the sole exception of Mark, who was absent on the test day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consistently, with the sole exception of New York, I stay at Four Seasons whenever I can.

The New York Times

The resulting list was eminent, uptown and overwhelmingly male (with the sole exception of Libby Larsen).

The New York Times - Arts

Europe, he points out, is now a "death penalty-free zone" with the sole exception of Belarus.

The Guardian

Last week it had nine of the top ten shows, with the sole exception being football on NBC.

The New Yorker

As before, most were unrevealing, with the sole exception of those testing for celiac disease, which were strongly positive.

The New York Times - Magazine

It granted only limited leases, with the sole exception of the local headquarters of the Anglican church.

The Economist

Truth is, with the sole exception of the collected works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, she never played any music in the house.

The Guardian - Music

To add to the gentle strangeness, the album remains in the key of A throughout, with the sole exception of the final song.

The Guardian - Music

For a start, the leaders have almost all changed guard, with the sole exception of that hardy diplomatic perennial, Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian - Opinion

It does not restrict any rights of organisation, protest or information, with the sole exception of information related to the volcano.

The Guardian

Through the miracle of natural genetic recombination, each child, with the sole exception of an identical twin, is conceived as a unique being.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with the sole exception" to clearly indicate that a statement is generally true, but has one specific, well-defined exception. This enhances precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with the sole exception" when multiple exceptions exist. This phrase is designed to highlight a unique, solitary divergence from a general rule. If there are multiple exceptions, consider alternative phrasing such as "with a few exceptions" or "except for several cases."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with the sole exception" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce a condition or qualification that limits the scope of a preceding statement. This construction serves to emphasize the singularity of the exception, ensuring clarity and precision in communication. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with the sole exception" is a prepositional phrase used to clearly indicate a unique exception to a general rule. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, notably in news, scientific, and encyclopedic writing. It serves to enhance precision by specifying a single, distinct deviation. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "except for one case". Remember to use this phrase only when there is truly a single exception to avoid miscommunication. Its formality makes it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for one case

Focuses on the act of excluding a single instance.

save for one instance

Emphasizes preservation of the general rule by making an explicit concession.

barring one exception

Highlights the prohibitive nature of the exception.

excluding only one

Directly points out the exclusivity of the exclusion.

but for this one

Short and conversational, underscoring the individual exception.

apart from this one

Indicates separation from the general category.

with this single caveat

Highlights a specific condition or limitation.

other than this

Simple and direct way to indicate a deviation.

aside from one instance

Emphasizes that a single exception does not affect the broader truth.

excepting solely this

Formal and precise, indicating a deliberate act of setting something aside.

FAQs

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

The phrase "with the sole exception" is used to indicate that something is true in all cases except one. For example: "All students passed the test, with the sole exception of John." or "The restaurant serves all types of food, with the sole exception of shellfish."

What phrases are similar to "with the sole exception"?

Alternatives to "with the sole exception" include phrases like "except for one case", "barring one exception", or "excluding only one". These phrases convey a similar meaning of singularity in the exception.

Is it correct to use "with the sole exception of" followed by a plural noun?

No, it is generally not correct to follow "with the sole exception of" with a plural noun. The phrase indicates there is only one exception. If there are multiple exceptions, use a different phrase, such as "with a few exceptions".

What's the difference between "with the sole exception" and "with no exceptions"?

"With the sole exception" indicates that there is exactly one exception to a rule or statement. In contrast, "with no exceptions" means that there are absolutely no deviations from the rule; it applies universally without any conditions.