Are you confused about the difference between “exempt” and “exempted”? It’s a common mistake to use these two words interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the definitions of both words and when to use each one.
Let’s clarify what each word means. “Exempted” is the past tense of “exempt,” which means to be free from a particular obligation or requirement. For example, if a company is exempted from paying taxes, it means that they were granted an exemption and do not have to pay taxes. On the other hand, “exempt” is the present tense of the same word and has the same meaning.
While the difference between these two words may seem minor, it’s important to use them correctly in order to avoid confusion and ensure clear communication. In the following sections, we’ll explore some common situations where you might need to use one word or the other.
Define Exempted
Exempted is a past participle form of the verb exempt, which means to free someone or something from an obligation or liability. When something is exempted, it is excluded or excused from a particular requirement or rule.
For example, a business might be exempted from paying certain taxes if it meets certain criteria, such as being a non-profit organization. Alternatively, an individual might be exempted from jury duty if they have a valid reason, such as a medical condition or a pre-booked vacation.
Define Exempt
Exempt is an adjective that describes something or someone that is excluded or freed from a particular obligation or liability. When something is exempt, it is not subject to a particular requirement or rule.
For example, certain types of income may be exempt from taxation, such as income from a tax-exempt municipal bond. Similarly, some individuals may be exempt from military service due to a physical or mental condition.
Exempt Vs Exempted
| Exempt | Exempted |
|---|---|
| Adjective | Past participle form of the verb exempt |
| Describes something or someone that is excluded or freed from a particular obligation or liability | Means to free someone or something from an obligation or liability |
| Not subject to a particular requirement or rule | Excluded or excused from a particular requirement or rule |
In summary, exempt and exempted are related terms that describe something or someone that is excluded or freed from a particular obligation or liability. Exempt is an adjective that describes the state of being exempt, while exempted is the past participle form of the verb exempt, which means to free someone or something from an obligation or liability.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right word in a sentence is crucial in conveying the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “exempted” and “exempt” in a sentence.
How To Use “Exempted” In A Sentence
The word “exempted” is the past tense of “exempt,” which means to be free from an obligation or requirement. Here are some examples of how to use “exempted” in a sentence:
- Employees who have been with the company for more than 10 years are exempted from the new attendance policy.
- The new tax law exempted small businesses from paying taxes on their first $50,000 in revenue.
- Students who have a medical condition can be exempted from taking physical education classes.
As seen in the examples, “exempted” is used to describe a past action of being granted an exemption from something.
How To Use “Exempt” In A Sentence
The word “exempt” is used to describe something or someone that is free from an obligation or requirement. Here are some examples of how to use “exempt” in a sentence:
- The new policy exempts employees who work from home from attending weekly meetings.
- Children under the age of 5 are exempt from paying admission fees to the museum.
- Religious organizations are exempt from paying property taxes.
As seen in the examples, “exempt” is used to describe something or someone that is currently free from an obligation or requirement.
It is important to note that “exempt” is also used as a verb, meaning to grant an exemption. For example, “The manager exempted the employee from attending the meeting.”
By understanding the proper usage of “exempted” and “exempt,” you can effectively communicate your intended meaning in a sentence.
More Examples Of Exempted & Exempt Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide a range of examples to demonstrate the proper usage of the words “exempted” and “exempt” in sentences. By examining these examples, readers will gain a better understanding of how to use these words correctly in their own writing.
Examples Of Using Exempted In A Sentence
- The new law exempted small businesses from paying certain taxes.
- Employees who work overtime are exempted from the company’s dress code policy.
- Children under the age of 12 are exempted from paying admission fees to the museum.
- Some foods are exempted from sales tax in certain states.
- Students who have completed the prerequisite course are exempted from taking the introductory course.
- The company’s CEO is exempted from the standard performance review process.
- Non-profit organizations are exempted from paying property taxes in many states.
- Individuals with disabilities are exempted from certain physical requirements for certain jobs.
- Some medications are exempted from import taxes in certain countries.
- Volunteers who work for a certain number of hours are exempted from paying membership fees.
Examples Of Using Exempt In A Sentence
- Employees who earn above a certain salary threshold are exempt from overtime pay.
- The new law exempts businesses with fewer than 10 employees from certain regulations.
- Some public officials are exempt from certain conflict of interest laws.
- Individuals who have a religious objection to certain medical procedures can be exempt from participating in them.
- The company’s policy exempts employees who work remotely from attending certain meetings.
- Some types of income are exempt from federal income tax.
- The law exempts certain types of property from being seized in bankruptcy proceedings.
- Individuals who have served in the military are often exempt from certain physical fitness requirements for certain jobs.
- Some organizations are exempt from paying sales tax on certain purchases.
- The new policy exempts employees who have been with the company for over 10 years from certain performance metrics.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words exempted and exempt, many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, it is essential to understand that there is a difference between these two words, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
Common Mistakes
- Mistake 1: Using “exempted” as an adjective
- Mistake 2: Using “exempt” as a verb
- Mistake 3: Using “exempted” in the wrong tense
One common mistake people make is using “exempted” as an adjective to describe something that is exempt. For example, “I am exempted from paying taxes.” In this case, “exempted” is not the correct word to use. The correct sentence should be “I am exempt from paying taxes.”
Another common mistake is using “exempt” as a verb instead of an adjective. For example, “I will exempt you from paying taxes.” In this case, “exempt” is not being used correctly as it should be an adjective to describe the status of the person or thing that is exempt. The correct sentence should be “You are exempt from paying taxes.”
People also tend to use “exempted” in the wrong tense. For example, “I was exempted from paying taxes last year.” In this case, “exempted” is being used in the past tense, which is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “I was exempt from paying taxes last year.”
Tips To Avoid Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, it is important to remember that “exempt” is an adjective used to describe the status of a person or thing that is not subject to something, such as taxes or a rule. On the other hand, “exempted” is the past participle of the verb “exempt,” which means to free someone or something from an obligation or requirement.
Here are some tips to avoid making mistakes when using these two words:
- Always use “exempt” as an adjective to describe the status of a person or thing that is not subject to something.
- Use “exempted” as the past participle of the verb “exempt” when referring to the act of freeing someone or something from an obligation or requirement.
- Be mindful of the tense you are using when using these words.
- Proofread your writing carefully to ensure that you are using these words correctly.
Context Matters
When it comes to using the words “exempt” and “exempted,” context is everything. Depending on the situation, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “exempt” and “exempted” might change:
Legal Documents
In legal documents, the use of “exempt” or “exempted” can have serious implications. “Exempt” is often used to refer to something that is not subject to a particular law or regulation. For example, a tax-exempt organization is one that is not required to pay certain taxes. On the other hand, “exempted” is often used to refer to something that has been specifically excluded from a law or regulation. For example, a company may be exempted from a particular regulation if it meets certain criteria.
Grammar Usage
In grammar, “exempt” is often used as an adjective to describe something that is excluded from a group or category. For example, “children are exempt from this rule.” In this case, “exempted” would not be appropriate because it implies that the children were once included in the rule but have now been excluded.
Corporate Policies
When it comes to corporate policies, the use of “exempt” or “exempted” can depend on the specific policy in question. For example, a company may have a policy that exempts certain employees from a particular rule. In this case, “exempt” would be appropriate. However, if the policy specifically states that certain employees have been exempted from the rule, then “exempted” would be more appropriate.
Examples
Here are some additional examples of how the context can determine whether to use “exempt” or “exempted”:
| Context | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage |
|---|---|---|
| A tax-exempt organization | exempt | exempted |
| An employee who is exempt from overtime pay | exempt | exempted |
| A company that has been exempted from a regulation | exempted | exempt |
| A child who is exempt from a rule | exempt | exempted |
Exceptions To The Rules
While the use of “exempt” and “exempted” is generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to the rules that can cause confusion. Here are some scenarios where the standard rules may not apply:
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, “exempt” and “exempted” may be used interchangeably. This is because legal language often has its own set of rules and conventions that differ from standard English usage. For example:
- A person may be “exempt” from a law or regulation
- A person may be “exempted” from a legal requirement
In this context, both words are used to convey the same meaning – that the person is not subject to the law or requirement in question.
2. Industry-specific Usage
Some industries may use “exempt” and “exempted” in ways that differ from standard English usage. For instance:
- In the insurance industry, a policy may be “exempt” from certain regulations or requirements
- In the tax industry, certain income may be “exempted” from taxation
In these cases, the use of “exempt” and “exempted” is specific to the industry and may not follow standard English usage.
3. Regional Variations
In some regions, “exempt” and “exempted” may be used differently than in standard English usage. For example:
- In British English, “exempt” is often used in place of “exempted”
- In some dialects, “exempted” may be shortened to “exempt”
It’s important to be aware of these regional variations when using “exempt” and “exempted” in different contexts.
In conclusion, while “exempt” and “exempted” are generally used according to standard English rules, there are some exceptions where the usage may differ. By understanding these exceptions, you can use these words more effectively and avoid confusion.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of words is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you master the difference between exempted and exempt:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either exempted or exempt:
- The new law ________ small businesses from paying taxes.
- My boss ________ me from attending the meeting.
- The company was ________ from liability due to the signed waiver.
Answer Key:
- exempts
- exempted
- exempted
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- The new policy ________ certain employees from working overtime.
- a) exempts
- b) exempted
- a) exempts
- b) exempted
- a) exempts
- b) exempted
Answer Key:
- a) exempts
- b) exempted
- b) exempted
Exercise 3: Writing Sentences
Write a sentence using either exempted or exempt:
- ________
- ________
- ________
Answer Key:
- The government ________ the building from historical preservation laws.
- The doctor ________ the patient from taking the medication due to potential side effects.
- The athlete was ________ from the drug test due to a medical condition.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “exempted” and “exempt,” it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. “Exempted” refers to something that has been specifically excluded from a rule or requirement, while “exempt” means that something is generally not subject to a rule or requirement.
It is important to understand the nuances of language use and grammar, as it can greatly impact the clarity and accuracy of communication. By utilizing the correct word in the appropriate context, individuals can avoid confusion and potential legal issues.
Key Takeaways
- “Exempted” refers to something that has been specifically excluded from a rule or requirement.
- “Exempt” means that something is generally not subject to a rule or requirement.
- Using the correct word in the appropriate context is crucial for clear and accurate communication.
By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, individuals can improve their communication skills and avoid common mistakes.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.