Exceptions in English Grammar

English grammar is full of rules, but it also has many exceptions. These are special cases where normal rules don’t apply. In this blog, we will look at some common exceptions in English grammar and explain them in simple language.

1. Irregular Verbs

Most verbs follow regular patterns when changing tense. For example, to make a verb past tense, we usually add “-ed” at the end, like work → worked. But irregular verbs don’t follow this pattern. For example:

• go → went
• run → ran
• eat → ate

You just need to memorize these exceptions because they don’t follow regular rules.

2. Irregular Plurals

In English, most plurals are made by adding “-s” or “-es”, like cat → cats. But some words have irregular plurals:

• child → children
• man → men
• tooth → teeth

These plurals need to be learned individually because they do not follow regular plural rules.

3. Silent Letters

Some words in English have letters that are written but not pronounced. For example:

• knight (the “k” is silent)
• honest (the “h” is silent)

Even though the letters are written, we don’t say them out loud.

4. Spelling Exceptions

There is a common rule in spelling: “i before e except after c”. But some words don’t follow this rule:

• receive (after “c”)
• believe (no “c” before “e”)

This is an exception to the regular spelling rule.

5. Articles

Usually, we use “a” before words that start with a consonant and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. However, some words don’t follow this rule:

• a university (even though “u” is a vowel, it sounds like a consonant)
• an hour (the “h” is silent, so it sounds like it starts with a vowel)

This is an exception in article usage.

6. Word Order

In questions, we usually change the word order, like Are you coming?. But in indirect questions, we don’t change the word order:

• Do you know where she is? (not “where is she”)

This is an exception to the rule about word order in questions.

7. Pronunciation Variations

Some words look the same but are pronounced differently depending on their meaning. For example:

• lead (as in the metal) is pronounced differently from lead (as in to guide someone).

These pronunciation exceptions make English tricky.

8. Uncountable Nouns

Some nouns cannot be counted, even though they seem like they could be. These are called uncountable nouns. For example:

• furniture
• information
• advice

These nouns don’t have a plural form, and we don’t use “a” or “an” with them.

9. Comparatives and Superlatives

We usually add “-er” for comparatives (e.g., fast → faster) and “-est” for superlatives (e.g., fast → fastest). But some adjectives use more and most instead:

• beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful

Some adjectives are irregular, like good → better → best.

10. Preposition Usage

Certain verbs, nouns, or adjectives require specific prepositions, which you have to memorize. For example:

• interested in
• angry with
• depend on

11. Conditional Sentences

Conditionals are sentences that use if. Sometimes, we see exceptions where the structure is different. For example:

• Had I known instead of If I had known

This is an exception to how conditionals are usually formed.

12. Split Infinitives

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, like to go. Traditionally, we don’t split the word “to” from the verb. However, in modern usage, it’s okay to split the infinitive for emphasis. For example:

• To boldly go (instead of To go boldly)

This is an exception that is now widely accepted in English.

These are just some of the many exceptions in English grammar. Remember, the best way to learn them is through practice and exposure to the language.

13. Inversion after Negative Adverbials

In English, we usually follow a subject-verb order. However, when we start a sentence with negative adverbials, we change the order. For example:

• Never have I seen such a thing. (instead of “I have never seen such a thing.”)

This inversion emphasizes the negative adverbial.

14. Strong and Weak Adjectives

Some adjectives are considered strong, such as terrible or amazing. When we use strong adjectives, we usually don’t use “very” with them. For example:

• very good (correct)
• very terrible (not common)

Instead of using “very,” we might say “absolutely” or “really” with strong adjectives.

15. Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences usually follow a standard if/then structure, but sometimes we can break this pattern. For example:

• Had I known, I would have acted differently. (instead of “If I had known…”)

This is a more formal way to express a conditional situation.

16. Non-Standard Word Order in Questions

Most questions follow a subject-auxiliary inversion, like Are you coming? However, when using who or what as subjects, we do not invert. For example:

• Who knows the answer? (instead of “Who does know the answer?”)

This makes the question sound more natural.

17. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs that change their meaning. For example:

• look up (to search for information)
• give in (to stop resisting)

The meanings are often unpredictable, so it’s important to learn them individually.

18. Exception to the Apostrophe Rule

Apostrophes are usually used for possession, like in John’s book or in contractions like don’t. However, possessive pronouns such as its, yours, and hers do not use apostrophes. For example:

• Its color is blue. (not “it’s color”)

This is an exception to the common use of apostrophes.

19. Pronunciation of “ed” Endings

The past tense of regular verbs is formed by adding -ed, but the pronunciation changes. It can sound like:

• /t/: asked
• /d/: played
• /ɪd/: wanted

Each verb’s pronunciation must be learned since it varies.

20. Exception to Adjective Order

Generally, adjectives follow a specific order: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose. However, some exceptions occur when the order changes for emphasis. For example:

• big bad wolf (instead of “bad big wolf”)

This shows how language can be flexible for effect.

21. Zero Article

Some nouns, especially proper nouns, abstract nouns, and uncountable nouns, are used without an article. For example:

• Mount Everest
• freedom
• water

This is an exception to the general article rules.

22. Mixed Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences typically have a consistent time frame, but mixed conditionals exist where the time reference changes. For example:

• If I had studied, I would be passing.

This mixes the past and present in one sentence.

23. Exception to the Plural Rule for Compound Nouns

For some compound nouns, only part of the word is made plural. For example:

• brothers-in-law
• passers-by

However, in other cases, the whole word is pluralized, like teaspoons.

24. Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

Some adjectives have irregular comparatives and superlatives that do not follow the typical -er/-est pattern. For example:

• far → further → furthest
• good → better → best

These forms need to be memorized since they do not follow regular rules.

25. Split Infinitives

Traditionally, splitting the infinitive (e.g., to boldly go) was avoided. However, modern usage allows it for clarity or emphasis, making it an evolving exception.

26. Negative Concord in Non-Standard English

In some dialects, double or triple negatives are used for emphasis (e.g., I don’t know nothing). While this is common in informal speech, it is not considered standard English.

27. Relative Clauses Without ‘That’ or ‘Which’

Sometimes, we omit relative pronouns in informal speech, especially in defining clauses. For example:

• The book I read (instead of “The book that I read”)

This makes sentences sound more natural in casual conversation.