the meaning of a sentence

Hello Stenka,

"Most doctors are sensible." (The ones that aren't sensible are the "exceptions".)

All the best,

MrP

Thank you and I understand what you are saying.


But here's what I thought.

Without 'notable',

it's easy to see the meaning.

Right. Doctors are sensible.


But with 'notable',

since it's meaning is 'deserving to be noticed or to receive att

It means that most doctors are sensible. Some doctors are not sensible. Then either

a) These tend to be 'notable' exceptions as the doctors who become well-known are possibly the more flamboyant/eccentric/odd-thinking/challenging the status quo/fame-seeking/media-loving types, rather than your average GP.

b) Some of the exeptions are quite famous - possibly because they a

Yes; usually, "notable exceptions" indicates that the speaker has some well known exceptions in mind. Since it's a set phrase, though, it's sometimes used where simply "exceptions" would suffice.

MrP