exceptional case

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   A situation that is unusual and not covered by the usual rule or pattern.

   Grammar: Countable noun phrase; use 'an' before it.

   Patterns

   • in an exceptional case
   • an exceptional case of something

   The teacher made an exception for him, but that was an exceptional case.

   In an exceptional case, the deadline may be extended.

   This is an exceptional case that requires special handling.

2. 2phrasecountablelegallaw

   (law) A legal situation that is treated differently from the standard rule.

   Grammar: Used in legal contexts, often with 'in' or 'under'.

   Patterns

   • under an exceptional case
   • exceptional case in law

   The court found that this was an exceptional case and awarded extra damages.

   Under an exceptional case, the judge can reduce the sentence.

Common combinations

in an exceptional case

In an exceptional case, we allow late submissions.

exceptional circumstances

The policy allows for exceptional circumstances.

a rare case

This is a rare case of the disease.

special case

Children are a special case in this rule.

Synonyms and how they differ

special case

Often means a case that is handled with extra care, not necessarily one that breaks a rule; 'exceptional case' stresses rarity and difference from the norm.

exception

A more general word for anything that does not follow a rule; 'exceptional case' is a specific instance of an exception.

Opposites

Word family

exception noun

A person or thing that is not included in a general rule.

exceptional adjective

Unusual and not typical; much better than average.

exceptionally adverb

In an unusual or extreme way.

Commonly confused: exceptional case or exceptionable?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “exceptional case”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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