exemption
C1Formal, often found in legal, governmental, tax, educational, and bureaucratic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Official permission not to do something or not to be subject to a rule, law, or duty that normally applies.
The act of being freed or released from an obligation, liability, or requirement; a special allowance or exclusion granted by authority.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a formal, often written, authorization or status. It is not simply avoiding something, but being officially excused from it. The focus is on the state of being exempt, not the act of exempting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or use. Slightly more common in UK English in historical/class-based contexts (e.g., 'exemption from military service').
Connotations
Carries connotations of privilege, legal status, or special consideration. Can imply fairness (deserved relief) or unfairness (unjust privilege) depending on context.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects due to shared legal and administrative terminology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
exemption from (something)exemption for (someone/something)exemption on (grounds of something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A get-out-of-jail-free card (informal metaphor)”
- “To be given a pass”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussions of tax liabilities, regulatory compliance, or employee benefits.
Academic
Regarding requirements for a degree, course prerequisites, or language tests.
Everyday
Less common, but used for parking permits, jury duty, or school vaccinations.
Technical
Central to legal statutes, tax codes, international trade agreements (tariff exemptions), and military conscription laws.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- His diplomatic status secured him an exemption from local taxes.
- Students can apply for an exemption from the module if they have relevant work experience.
American English
- She filed for a homestead exemption on her property taxes.
- The new legislation includes an exemption for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My doctor wrote a note so I could get an exemption from sports class.
- Some people get an exemption from paying the full fee.
- The charity has successfully applied for an exemption from VAT.
- Exemption from military service is granted on specific medical or conscientious grounds.
- The treaty negotiated a crucial tariff exemption for agricultural products.
- The court's ruling upheld the religious exemption claimed by the organisation, allowing it to operate outside certain employment laws.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EXEMPTion' – it takes you OUT (ex-) of the EMPTied obligation. You are EMPTied of the duty.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHIELD (from rules/requirements), A PASS (allowing non-participation), A HOLE IN THE NET (of regulations).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'экземпляр' (which means 'copy' or 'specimen'). The correct Russian equivalent is usually 'освобождение', 'льгота', or 'изъятие'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'exception' interchangeably (an exception is a case not following a rule; an exemption is a formal excuse from the rule). Incorrect preposition: 'exemption of' instead of 'exemption from'. Spelling: 'exemtion' (missing 'p').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'exemption'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'exception' is a case that does not follow a general rule or pattern. An 'exemption' is a formal permission or official status that allows someone or something to be excluded from a rule, duty, or liability. An exemption creates an exception.
Not necessarily. While it offers relief to the exempted party, it can be viewed negatively by others as an unfair privilege or a loophole (e.g., 'wealthy corporations exploiting tax exemptions').
No, the verb form is 'to exempt' (e.g., 'The law exempts non-profit organisations'). 'Exemption' is only a noun.
'Tax exemption' is extremely common, referring to income, property, or transactions that are not subject to tax.
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