Unexceptionable versus unexceptional is one of the most confusing(!) word confusions I’ve come across.
Both words are adjectives and a negative form of the same root word, exceptional, yet each means something different.
Unexceptionable describes a thought, emotion, or action that is not open to objection.
Unexceptional means it’s ordinary, just the usual.
Word Confusions . . .
. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noir for you from either end.
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| Unexceptionable | Unexceptional |
|---|---|
Cops — Policemen Waiting for Fans before Football Match. by Martin Vorel and is in the public domain, via LibreShot. — Hmmm, I wonder if this is what the Uvalde cops were doing, thinking this was unexceptionable. |
Chevrolet Impala by Greg Gjerdingen is under the CC BY 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — A most unexceptional car. |
| Part of Grammar: | |
| Adjective | Adjective |
| Not open to objection
Beyond criticism |
Not out of the ordinary
Admitting of no exception to the general rule |
| Examples: | |
| Rich white men have the unexceptionable belief that society should be governed by their views.
She has an unexceptionable record of achievement. The law would be rightly open to ridicule, for transactions such as these are unexceptionable. Based on news accounts and these excerpts, his speech seems to have been unexceptionable, albeit platitudinous. In a civilized country, one would think, legislation to protect kids from violence and harassment in their schools should be unexceptionable. |
It was an unexceptional movie.
The buildings are unexceptional, save that they differ considerably from the typical brick or clapboard row houses in the area. Musically, everything is absolutely fine, in a middle-of-the-road, unexceptional sort of way. Harrison Ford and Christopher Plummer are two exceptional actors, unfortunately thrown into a very unexceptional movie. |
| Derivatives: | |
| Adverb: exceptionably, unexceptionably Noun: exceptionability, unexceptionability, unexceptionableness |
Adverb: unexceptionally |
| History of the Word: | |
| It was first recorded in 1655–65, as un- + exceptionable. | It was first recorded in 1765–75, as un- + exceptional. |
C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!
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Resources for Unexceptionable versus Unexceptional
Apple Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com: unexceptionable, unexceptional
Lexico.com: unexceptionable, unexceptional
Merriam-Webster: unexceptionable
Pinterest Photo Credits:
Supreme Court, Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt Arguments by Lorie Shaull is under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.
