(exceptions)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
An exception is a particular thing, person, or situation that is not included in a general statement, judgment, or rule.
Few guitarists can sing as well as they can play; Eddie, however, is an exception...
There were no floral offerings at the ceremony, with the exception of a single red rose...
The law makes no exceptions...
With few exceptions, guests are booked for week-long visits.
N-COUNT: oft with the N of n, with N
2.
If you make a general statement, and then say that something or someone is no exception, you are emphasizing that they are included in that statement.
Marketing is applied to everything these days, and books are no exception...
Most people have no real idea how to change to healthy food, and Maureen was no exception.
PHRASE: v-link PHR [emphasis]
3.
If you are making a general statement and you say that something is the exception that proves the rule, you mean that although it seems to contradict your statement, in most other cases your statement will be true.
Wine-making and accountants don't usually go together, but Thierry Hasard is an exception that proves the rule.
PHRASE: exception and V inflect, usu v-link PHR
4.
If you take exception to something, you feel offended or annoyed by it, usually with the result that you complain about it.
He also took exception to having been spied on...
= object
PHRASE: V inflects
5.
You use with the exception of to introduce a thing or person that is not included in a general statement that you are making.
Yesterday was a day off for everybody, with the exception of Lawrence...
PREP-PHRASE
6.
You use without exception to emphasize that the statement you are making is true in all cases.
The vehicles are without exception old, rusty and dented...
PHRASE: PHR with cl/group, PHR after v [emphasis]