a realistic excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a realistic excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an explanation or justification that is believable and plausible in a given context. Example: "He provided a realistic excuse for his absence, citing a family emergency that required his immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"There have been plenty of warnings about illegal use of drones and so ignorance is unlikely to be a realistic excuse for the pilot.

Independent

Make a realistic excuse.

WikiHow

Always have a realistic excuse for your teachers.

WikiHow

Use a realistic excuse (important meeting, food cooking in the oven) to end the conversation.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Realistic excuses can include any of the following: Dr.'s appointment.

WikiHow

Realistic excuses are more believable because these situations can happen to anyone at any time and render less suspicion.

WikiHow

A realistic invisible man.

The New York Times

It is a realistic ambition.

The Economist

Neither is a realistic choice.

The Economist

You're a realistic optimist.

Independent

That is a realistic worry.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before offering "a realistic excuse", consider the potential consequences of being truthful. Honesty, when appropriate, builds stronger relationships.

Common error

Avoid excessive detail when giving "a realistic excuse". Brevity enhances believability; too much information can raise suspicion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a realistic excuse" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it describes an explanation or justification intended to be believable and plausible. The adjective 'realistic' modifies 'excuse', emphasizing its verisimilitude.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a realistic excuse" is a noun phrase used to describe a believable and plausible explanation, typically to avoid blame or negative consequences. While grammatically correct and versatile, its usage is relatively infrequent, appearing mostly in news and media and Wiki articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, but crafting believable excuses requires consideration of detail and consistency to maintain credibility. Be mindful of over-explaining, as it can undermine the excuse's effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plausible excuse

This alternative emphasizes the believability and surface-level acceptability of the excuse.

a credible excuse

This alternative highlights the trustworthiness and convincing nature of the excuse.

a believable explanation

This option shifts the focus to the explanation itself, emphasizing its plausibility.

a convincing justification

This option implies a stronger need to persuade, focusing on the reason provided.

a valid alibi

This alternative implies a formal setting, such as legal or official inquiry.

a sound reason

This alternative focuses on the logical and rational basis of the reason provided.

a well-founded pretext

This option suggests a carefully constructed or strategically chosen excuse.

a tenable explanation

This alternative suggests the explanation can be defended against scrutiny.

a legitimate reason

This option highlights the lawfulness and/or permissibility of the reason.

a pragmatic explanation

This alternative suggests the explanation is practical and takes real-world conditions into account.

FAQs

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

You can use "a realistic excuse" to describe a reason for absence, failure, or other undesired outcomes that sounds believable and genuine. For example: "He provided "a realistic excuse" for missing the deadline, citing a family emergency.".

What's a good substitute for "a realistic excuse"?

Alternatives to "a realistic excuse" include "a plausible excuse", "a credible excuse", or "a believable explanation", each emphasizing the convincing nature of the reason.

Is it better to offer "a realistic excuse" or to be honest?

The choice between providing "a realistic excuse" and being honest depends on the situation and potential consequences. Honesty is generally preferred for building trust, but "a realistic excuse" may be necessary in situations where full transparency could be detrimental.

How does "a realistic excuse" differ from a simple excuse?

"A realistic excuse" specifically implies that the excuse is believable and could reasonably occur. A simple excuse might be any reason given, regardless of its plausibility or truthfulness.