a plausible pretext

USAGE SUMMARY

"a plausible pretext" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a reason or excuse that seems reasonable but may not be the true motivation behind an action. Example: "He used a plausible pretext to justify his absence from the meeting." Alternative expressions include "a believable excuse" and "a credible rationale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is suggested, for example, by a passage in which Kant asks us to imagine someone threatened by his prince with immediate execution unless he "give[s] false testimony against an honorable man whom the prince would like to destroy under a plausible pretext".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But these places have bills to pay, and it does them no good to overly refine their standards — they're geared to call a book a classic under any plausible pretext they can find.

The New Yorker

He has a plausible story.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is this a plausible place?

The New York Times

That seems a plausible relationship.

The Economist

That seems a plausible scenario to me.

Independent

But Luce may provide a plausible model.

The New York Times

Back then, that was a plausible argument.

The Economist

Still, Univision has a plausible response.

The New Yorker

You could surely produce a plausible one.

Independent

There is a plausible virtue in this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a plausible pretext", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential for deception or hidden motives behind the stated reason.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a plausible pretext" is necessarily true. The phrase implies a surface-level credibility that may mask a different, less acceptable underlying motive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible pretext" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a seemingly valid but potentially deceptive reason. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plausible pretext" describes a seemingly reasonable justification that conceals the real reason behind an action. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and its use implies potential deception. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Guardian, showing its formal tone. Remember to use this phrase when highlighting hidden motives cloaked in surface-level believability. Consider using alternatives like "a credible excuse" or "a convincing rationale", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible excuse

Replaces "pretext" with "excuse" to emphasize the deceptive nature of the reason.

a convincing rationale

Uses "rationale" instead of "pretext" to highlight the logical but potentially false justification.

a believable justification

Replaces "pretext" with "justification", focusing on the attempt to make the reason acceptable.

a feasible excuse

Swaps "plausible" for "feasible", suggesting the excuse is practically possible.

a specious argument

Replaces the whole phrase with "specious argument" implying the reasoning is deceptively attractive but fundamentally flawed.

a sham reason

Emphasizes the falseness of the pretext by calling it a "sham reason".

a deceptive justification

Highlights the misleading nature of the reason given.

a contrived excuse

Suggests the excuse has been fabricated or artificially created.

a fabricated story

Replaces the phrase with "fabricated story" emphasizing that the whole situation is invented.

a manufactured reason

Highlights that the "reason" was produced, not natural.

FAQs

How can I use "a plausible pretext" in a sentence?

Use "a plausible pretext" to describe a seemingly reasonable excuse that hides the real reason for an action or decision. For example, "He used "a plausible pretext" to avoid attending the meeting, claiming he was ill, but he was actually on vacation".

What are some alternatives to "a plausible pretext"?

You can use alternatives like "a credible excuse", "a convincing rationale", or "a believable justification" to convey similar meanings.

Is it better to say "a plausible reason" or "a plausible pretext"?

"A plausible reason" suggests a genuinely believable reason, while ""a plausible pretext"" implies that the reason is presented to conceal the true motive.

What is the difference between "a pretext" and "an excuse"?

Both "pretext" and "excuse" involve offering a reason for an action or situation. However, "a pretext" typically implies a deliberate attempt to conceal the true reason, whereas "an excuse" might be a more genuine attempt to explain or justify something.