- exception
- nounADJECTIVE▪ big, great, important, main, major▪
the one great exception to that
▪ clear, conspicuous, glaring, notable, noteworthy (esp. AmE), noticeable, obvious, significant, striking▪Most industries have suffered badly in the recession, but there have been a few notable exceptions.
▪ minor, rare▪ lone (esp. AmE), only, single, sole▪My family grew closer over the years. The only exception was my aunt.
▪all American presidents, with the sole exception of Carter
▪ occasional▪There are occasional exceptions to my generalization.
▪ limited, partial▪all of them – with the partial exception of Ireland
▪ certain, specific▪There should be specific exceptions written into the plan.
▪ special▪We are making a special exception for Emma because of her condition.
▪ possible▪With the possible exception of the US, no other nation experienced a more severe depression.
▪ interesting▪There was an interesting exception to this general pattern.
▪ honourable/honorable (esp. BrE)▪With a few honourable/honorable exceptions, politicians kept quiet about the corruption.
VERB + EXCEPTION▪ make▪No parking is allowed, but an exception is made for disabled drivers.
▪ carve, carve out (both AmE)▪The reform bill carves out several specific exceptions for treatment of health expenses.
▪ allow, grant▪She asked the state Supreme Court to grant an exception.
▪ remain▪Such initiatives remain the exception, rather than the rule.
▪ represent▪They represent an exception to the rule.
PREPOSITION▪ with the exception of▪The whole of the island was flooded with the exception of a small area in the north.
▪ without exception▪Without exception, all employees must carry their identity card with them at all times.
▪ exception to▪Guide dogs are the one exception to the store's ban on dogs.
PHRASES▪ be no exception▪The weather had been rainy for days, and the day of the race was no exception.
▪ be the exception rather than the rule▪Nowadays a job for life is very much the exception rather than the rule.
▪ the exception to the rule▪Most of his family are sports enthusiasts, but he's the exception to the rule.
▪ with a few exceptions▪With a few exceptions, the songwriting is very good.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
