without exception

USAGE SUMMARY

"without exception" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way of emphasizing that an action or statement applies to all people, things, or cases. For example, "Everyone in the department is expected to comply with the dress code, without exception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The supporting players are exceptional without exception.

Huffington Post

Without exception".

The New York Times

Obey rules without exception.

The New Yorker

Inexcusable, without exception.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without exception, they're worth watching.

The New York Times - Arts

Without exception, all have failed.

The Guardian - Business

"Everyone is unhappy, without exception".

The New York Times

Almost without exception, they wore nice sweaters.

The New York Times

They are, without exception, bankers and industrialists.

The New York Times

Without exception, they pronounced themselves flummoxed.

The New Yorker

Their patriarchs endorse the government without exception.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without exception" to emphasize that a rule, statement, or condition applies to every instance without any exclusions. This adds clarity and force to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "without exception" when the statement's universality is not truly guaranteed. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without exception" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that something applies universally, leaving no room for any exclusions. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without exception" is a very common adverbial phrase used to emphasize the universality of a statement or rule. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is primarily found in news and media sources and serves to eliminate any ambiguity by asserting that something applies in all cases. Alternative phrases such as "in every instance" or "universally" can be used depending on the context. When using "without exception", it's crucial to ensure that the statement's universality is genuinely accurate to maintain credibility. Over all, understanding these nuances can help enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all cases

Replaces "exception" with "cases" for a more general application.

without any exclusions

More explicitly states the lack of exceptions.

without fail

Emphasizes the reliability and certainty of the statement.

in every instance

Changes the wording to emphasize individual occurrences rather than a blanket statement.

invariably

Similar to "universally", but perhaps implying a lack of change over time.

in each and every situation

Expands on the idea to emphasize every single circumstance.

universally

Uses a single adverb to convey the same meaning, simplifying the phrase.

categorically

Suggests a clear and definite statement with no room for exceptions.

across the board

Suggests a uniform application to all members of a group or category.

absolutely

Uses a single word to add emphasis to the absence of exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "without exception" in a sentence?

Use "without exception" to emphasize that something applies to every case, such as: "All employees are required to attend the meeting, without exception."

What are some alternatives to "without exception"?

You can use alternatives like "in every instance", "in all cases", or "universally" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "without any exceptions"?

While "without any exceptions" has a similar meaning, "without exception" is more concise and commonly used.

What is the difference between "almost without exception" and "without exception"?

"Almost without exception" implies that there might be very few exceptions, whereas "without exception" means there are absolutely no exceptions at all.