a poor excuse for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor excuse for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is inadequate or unsatisfactory in comparison to what is expected or required. Example: "His explanation was a poor excuse for his absence from the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was a poor excuse for a dive [laughs].

The Guardian

It's true that there are no good options here, but that's a poor excuse for paralysis.

The New York Times

But that's a poor excuse for the cynicism that dominates conventional foreign policy.

The New York Times

Asserting that "there is simply too much to know" is a poor excuse for justifying ignorance.

The New York Times

Mr. Aviles said that understaffing was a poor excuse for failing to read tests and risking the health of patients.

The New York Times

Ours had been a poor excuse for a marriage, borne on an ill wind from the start.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The only barrier to recovery under that state statute is grounded on a court-announced 'commercial law' rule, a poor excuse indeed for depriving a state of exercising its traditional power to control actions for local wrongful deaths.

Cornell University

I was young, obsessed and, frankly, a pretty poor excuse for an angler but my nights were haunted by visions of a red-and-white bobber dunking endlessly in and out of the water.

Forbes

That's a pretty poor excuse for not realising that the ex-bankrupt racing driver might not be the best person to buy BHS.

The Guardian

It's a very poor excuse for the court and kind of the lowest common denominator of our legal system.

Huffington Post

I left the UK HYS because it was like the new format and like many I'm frustrated to revert to a low grade poor excuse for a blog, if you use common sense and logic you should hold a post implementation post mortem and decide to reverse the move.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a poor excuse for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to adequately represent or fulfill. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor excuse for" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your language sound overly critical or negative. Opt for more nuanced phrasing depending on your audience and the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor excuse for" functions as a qualifier, expressing a negative evaluation of something. It indicates that the subject in question fails to adequately fulfill its expected role or purpose. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor excuse for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is inadequate or unsatisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the potential for overuse in informal settings. For more formal situations, consider using synonyms such as "an inadequate justification for". By understanding its proper usage and context, you can effectively convey your criticism or dissatisfaction with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flimsy justification for

Replaces "excuse" with "justification", emphasizing the weakness of the reasoning.

an unacceptable explanation for

Emphasizes the unsuitability and rejection of the provided explanation.

an inadequate substitute for

Focuses on the replacement aspect and its failure to meet the required standards.

a weak rationale for

Substitutes "excuse" with "rationale", highlighting the deficiency in logical reasoning.

a pathetic attempt at

Emphasizes the failure and inadequacy of the effort made.

a feeble defense of

Replaces "excuse" with "defense", stressing the lack of strength in the justification.

a sorry imitation of

Highlights the poor quality and lack of resemblance to the original.

a disappointing example of

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations and the resulting letdown.

a laughable reason for

Highlights the absurdity and ridiculousness of the provided reason.

a transparent pretext for

Indicates that the excuse is easily seen as false or insincere.

FAQs

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

You can use "a poor excuse for" to express that something is inadequate or unsatisfactory. For example, "His apology was "a poor excuse for" his behavior" indicates that the apology was not sufficient.

What's a more formal alternative to "a poor excuse for"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "an inadequate justification for", "an insufficient rationale for", or "a deficient explanation for" instead of "a poor excuse for".

Is it always negative to describe something as "a poor excuse for"?

Yes, describing something as ""a poor excuse for"" is inherently negative. It implies that something fails to meet the required standards or expectations and is therefore unsatisfactory.

What are some synonyms for "a poor excuse for" that still convey criticism?

Consider alternatives like "a flimsy justification for", "a weak rationale for", or "a pathetic attempt at" to maintain a critical tone while varying your vocabulary.