a reasonable excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when justifying an action or behavior that may otherwise be seen as inappropriate or unacceptable, indicating that there is a valid reason for it. Example: "He was late to the meeting, but he had a reasonable excuse due to heavy traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There are bands out there who would find this a reasonable excuse to open the champagne.

The Guardian - Music

Players must provide a reasonable excuse for missing tournaments or risk being fined by the WTA.

The New York Times - Sports

Consider an appeal if you had a reasonable excuse for not filing on time, say tax campaigners.

Independent

He accepted that he possessed the memory card but said he had a reasonable excuse for it.

Independent

"But it's not a blanket prohibition against masks, it's a prohibition against masks provided you don't have a reasonable excuse, and a reasonable excuse is, 'I'm making a political statement'," he said.

The Guardian

A few months later our neighbors, if they couldn't think up a reasonable excuse, came over for the Slide Show.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

There is also a defence of "reasonable excuse".

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, he stopped and said: "I really couldn't explain or give a logical or reasonable excuse why I should make this movie.

The New York Times

The jury was told to find the defendant guilty of two other charges: possession of knives or "bladed instruments", and possession of two knuckledusters, at a school "without reasonable excuse or lawful authority".

The Guardian

While a defense of "reasonable excuse" would still be available to academics, journalists or others who may have a legitimate reason to view such material, according to The Guardian.

TechCrunch

Still, fairness compels me to point out that there could be a dozen reasonable excuses for her behavior.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "a reasonable excuse", ensure the justification is both logical and contextually appropriate to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid frequently using "a reasonable excuse" without providing concrete details or evidence; this can weaken your argument and make it seem insincere. Instead, clearly articulate the specific reasons behind the excuse to enhance its validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable excuse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a justification or explanation deemed acceptable under specific circumstances. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase indicates a valid reason for an action or inaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable excuse" is a common phrase used to justify an action or inaction by providing an acceptable explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for general communication. When using this phrase, it's best practice to substantiate the excuse with concrete details to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "a valid justification" or "a legitimate explanation" can be used to add nuance or formality. Avoid overusing the phrase without sufficient detail to prevent weakening the impact of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid justification

Replaces 'excuse' with 'justification' implying a more formal and legitimate reason.

a legitimate explanation

Uses 'explanation' instead of 'excuse', suggesting a more detailed and understandable account.

an acceptable rationale

Replaces both 'reasonable' and 'excuse', focusing on the logical basis for the action.

a justifiable reason

Emphasizes the defensibility of the reason, implying it can be supported with evidence.

a plausible alibi

Specifically used when providing an excuse to avoid blame or suspicion, implying a constructed narrative.

a good explanation

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative, focusing on the quality of the explanation.

a sound argument

Focuses on the logical coherence and strength of the reasoning behind the excuse.

an understandable pretext

Replaces 'excuse' with 'pretext' suggesting the reason is not the real one but is still understandable.

a defensible position

Highlights the ability to defend or justify one's actions or choices.

a sufficient explanation

Highlights the idea that explanation is enough to justify an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable excuse" to justify why someone did something or failed to do something. For example, "He missed the deadline, but he had "a reasonable excuse" because of a family emergency".

What is considered "a good reason" to miss work?

Commonly accepted "valid reasons" include personal illness, family emergencies, bereavement, or pre-arranged leave. Employers often require documentation to support these absences.

What's the difference between "a reason" and "a reasonable excuse"?

"A reason" is a general explanation, while ""a reasonable excuse"" implies the explanation is justifiable and acceptable under the circumstances. A reason might be simply 'I didn't want to', but a reasonable excuse would be 'I had a prior commitment'.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a valid justification", "a legitimate explanation", or "an acceptable rationale".