Exempt(ed) from

Question

Hello, I got a bit confused when I came across the necessity of using a phrase including the expression mentioned in the topic. I couldn't simply differentiate the two possible (are both indeed acceptable?) uses of 'exempt' and 'exempted from'. The question is - what is the difference, if any, between the two following sentences: "He was exempted from the exam" and "He was exempt from the exam". Is the latter correct? Maybe if the example of the sentences including the word had a more general meaning, both could be used, e.g. "Such people are exempt from the exam" vs "Such people are exempted from the exam". Please enlighten me on that vague (to me) matter. (I know that one is an adjective and the other passive form of the verb.)
mike

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]- what is the difference, if any, between the two following sentences: "He was exempted from the exam" and "He was exempt from the exam".[/nq]
The latter means he met the conditions specified by a rule providing for exemption from having to take the exam. The former means that he was officially deemed exempt.

Mike Nitabach

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]. . . . I couldn't simply differentiate the two possible (are both indeed acceptable?) uses of 'exempt' and 'exempted ... two following sentences: "He was exempted from the exam" and "He was exempt from the exam". Is the latter correct?[/nq]
There is no functional difference. A dictionary may tell you whether the adjective exempt or the verb
exempt gave rise to the other, but your readers
do not care. Only a rhetorical nuance differentiates the two forms in your examples. If you cannot
define the difference, it probably does not matter.

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hello, I got a bit confused when I came across the necessity of using a phrase including the expression mentioned ... that vague (to me) matter. (I know that one is an adjective and the other passive form of the verb.)[/nq]
That last remark is important. The adjective describes the guy's condition. The passive verb refers (in a hidden way) to whoever it was who performed the action, and the action they took.

He was exempt "exempt" describes his condition. He was exempted somebody exempted him, somebody arranged for him to be exempt.
The meaning in this case is the same, only the nuance is different.

You can see a similar relationship in other pairs. I forget which others resemble exempt/exempted in form, but consider the difference between:

He is finished. Adj. "Finished" describes his status or condition. He has finished. Verb He completed something.

Best Donna Richoux

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hello, I got a bit confused when I came across the necessity of using a phrase including the expression mentioned ... vague (to me) matter. (I know that one is an adjective and the other passive form of the verb.) mike[/nq]
He was exempt from the exam means he did not need to write it (according to the regulations).
He was exempted from the exam means that according to the regulations he ought to have written the exam, but a person authorised to do so exempted him from writing.

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]He was exempt from the exam means he did not need to write it (according to the regulations). He was ... the regulations he ought to have written the exam, but a person authorised to do so exempted him from writing.[/nq]
Not quite. He could have been exempted from the exam precisely because the authorizing official determined that according to the regulations he was indeed exempt.

Mike Nitabach

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]He was exempt from the exam means he did not ... a person authorised to do so exempted him from writing.[/nq]
[nq:1]Not quite. He could have been exempted from the exam precisely because the authorizing official determined that according to the regulations he was indeed exempt.[/nq]
In which case the official would not have exempted him, but merely informed hi that according to the regulations he was exempt.

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Not quite. He could have been exempted from the exam precisely because the authorizing official determined that according to the regulations he was indeed exempt.[/nq]
[nq:1]In which case the official would not have exempted him, but merely informed hi that according to the regulations he was exempt.[/nq]
Not necesssarily. It is equally plausible that the official would perform ministerial acts constituting institutional recognition of the fact that the student was exempt. In other words, it is equally plausible that the official exempted the student because he was exempt. Saying that the official exempted the student does not imply that the student was not, in fact, exempt.

Mike Nitabach

Exempt(ed) from

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