a better excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a better excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing excuses, indicating that one excuse is more valid or acceptable than another. Example: "I thought my reason for being late was good, but after hearing his story, I realized he had a better excuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

And he does have a better excuse than most.

The Economist

"The dog ate my homework" is a better excuse than that.

The New York Times - Books

"Extra innings," Brad Ausmus, the special assistant, said, but he actually had a better excuse.

The New York Times

Luckily we had a better excuse - there were no performances until February 15.

The Guardian - Travel

There's never been a better excuse for squatting among the bushes.

The Guardian

Have a day off and think of a better excuse to avoid Terry".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Bayer Leverkusen's press officer Dirk Mesch had a much better excuse handling Emir Spahic's car behind his back: the Bosnian defender had parked it in the wrong spot.

The Guardian - Sport

Senate Republicans, who were ideologically opposed to the bill's preference for spending over tax cuts, now had an even better excuse to kill it, and they did.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Bobcats have an even better excuse than the Grizzlies: They have only been around for four years.

Forbes

No better excuse for a free ferry ride and a picnic on Governors Island off the coast of Manhattan.

Huffington Post

IN THIS especially bleak midwinter, what better excuse to have a drink and a knees-up than commemorating the birth of Robert Burns, the Scottish ploughman whose demotic verse was perhaps the first dialect version of English to achieve world literary and popular acclaim?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a better excuse" when you want to indicate that someone's reason or justification is superior or more acceptable than an alternative, often implying that the first excuse was inadequate or unconvincing.

Common error

Avoid using "a better excuse" when no comparison is intended. If there isn't a prior or alternative excuse being considered, simply state the valid reason or justification directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a better excuse" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a reason or justification that is considered more acceptable than another. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a better excuse" is a common and grammatically correct English phrase used to indicate a more valid or acceptable reason compared to another. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase and is versatile in various sentence structures. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. To use it effectively, ensure a clear comparison with an existing or implied less adequate excuse. Remember that using alternatives like "a more valid reason" or "a more convincing justification" can also enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a better explanation

Directly substitutes 'excuse' with 'explanation', keeping the comparison intact.

a more valid reason

Focuses on the validity of the reason, rather than a comparison to other excuses.

a more convincing justification

Emphasizes the act of justifying something with a more persuasive argument.

a more acceptable explanation

Highlights the acceptability of the given explanation.

a more plausible alibi

Specifically refers to an alibi, suggesting a formal setting or suspicion.

a superior rationale

Indicates a higher quality or more logical reason.

a stronger argument

Suggests the excuse is supported by more compelling evidence.

a more legitimate cause

Highlights the legitimacy and validity of the underlying cause.

a more credible story

Focuses on the believability of the narrative provided as an excuse.

a more persuasive account

Highlights how convincing the excuse or explanation is.

FAQs

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

You can use "a better excuse" to compare the validity of two reasons, as in "He couldn't attend the meeting because of a flat tire, but she had "a better excuse": a family emergency".

What's a more formal alternative to "a better excuse"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a more compelling justification" or "a more convincing rationale".

Is it always necessary to have a 'bad' excuse when using "a better excuse"?

Yes, "a better excuse" implies a comparison. Without a less valid excuse as a contrast, the phrase doesn't make sense. You might need to provide context or introduce the initial excuse before presenting the better one.

What can I say instead of "a better excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "a more valid reason", "a more convincing justification", or "a more acceptable explanation" depending on the context.