I excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I excuse" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a complete sentence on its own and can also be a part of a longer sentence. Example 1: "I excuse myself from the party as I have an early morning tomorrow." Example 2: "I excuse the mess in my room, I've been busy studying all week." Example 3: "As the teacher, I excuse the student from class due to illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

How can I excuse myself from these tabs?

The New York Times

I excuse myself to her newly renovated powder room and throw up.

The New York Times - Magazine

I excuse myself and leave it to my father to complete the taping.

The New Yorker

Locked inside my own thoughts, I find myself overwhelmed and I excuse myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

I excuse my enthusiasm for material things by putting it in perspective.

The New York Times - Travel

After a few minutes, I excuse myself to go and look for her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I excused myself to the bar for a refill.

The New Yorker

I excused myself and got up to leave.

The New York Times

I excused myself and took one of my own.

The New York Times

I excused myself to the bathroom and left the restaurant.

The New York Times

Shakily I excused myself and fled to a bathroom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When excusing someone else's actions, be clear about the reason you're offering the excuse to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "I excuse" when a more appropriate phrase like "I apologize" or "I regret" is needed to express remorse for your own actions. "I excuse" implies either letting oneself off the hook or excusing someone else.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "I excuse" is that of a performative verb, indicating an action being performed by the speaker at the moment of utterance. It's commonly used to excuse oneself from a situation or to excuse the behavior of another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I excuse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression with a dual purpose: excusing oneself or excusing others. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, highlighting its common presence in various contexts such as news articles and personal narratives. While relatively straightforward, understanding the nuances between "I excuse", "I apologize", and related phrases like "I pardon" is crucial for effective communication. Its frequency is high, especially in the news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I pardon

Similar in meaning but carries a slightly more formal tone than "I excuse".

I justify

Implies providing reasons to defend or validate an action, subtly different from simply excusing it.

I forgive

Emphasizes the act of absolution, which can be a stronger expression than excusing.

I overlook

Suggests ignoring a fault or mistake, implying a conscious decision not to dwell on it.

I condone

Indicates acceptance or approval of something, which is a stronger endorsement than excusing.

I understand

Shows comprehension and acceptance, often used when explaining mitigating circumstances.

I rationalize

Involves creating a logical explanation for something, often to justify or excuse it.

I defend

Implies taking a stand to protect or vindicate someone or something.

I make allowances for

Indicates considering extenuating circumstances when judging someone's behavior.

I give a free pass to

Suggests granting exemption from usual rules or consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "I excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "I excuse" to politely excuse yourself from a situation, as in "I excuse myself to use the restroom." You can also use it to express that you are excusing someone else's behavior, as in "I excuse his lateness because of the traffic."

What's the difference between "I excuse" and "I apologize"?

"I excuse" is used when you're excusing yourself or someone else, while "I apologize" is used to express regret or remorse for something you've done. For example, you might say "I excuse myself" when leaving a room, but "I apologize for being late."

When is it appropriate to say "I excuse"?

It's appropriate to say "I excuse" when you want to politely leave a situation or conversation. It's also suitable when you're choosing to overlook or forgive someone else's mistake or behavior, especially when providing a reason or justification for doing so.

What are some alternative ways to say "I excuse"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I pardon", "I forgive", "I overlook", or "I understand".