a valid excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid excuse" is correct and may be used in written English.
You can use it when a valid excuse is necessary to explain or justify a particular action or situation. For example, "I know I was late arriving to the meeting, but I had a valid excuse: my car broke down on the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I've a valid excuse this time, though.

The Guardian - Music

And is it a valid excuse?

The New York Times - Sports

In her eyes, it's a valid excuse for lingering.

The New York Times

"I don't really see that as being a valid excuse.

The Guardian - Sport

That's not a valid excuse forhate-filled diatribes.

The Guardian - Sport

His coalition government — which he chose — is not a valid excuse for inaction.

The New York Times

She missed one because they failed to find her and that's a valid excuse.

The Guardian - Sport

Oddly enough, one of the late arrivals was Manager Art Howe, who had a valid excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

The first to defect was my oldest sister, who had a valid excuse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

As you roll over to hit the snooze button, your mind scrambles for a valid excuse.

Huffington Post

So neither our trade deficit nor our savings rate is intrinsically a lever that moves the other -- or a valid excuse for the other.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide clear and specific details when presenting "a valid excuse" to enhance its believability. Vague or ambiguous excuses are less likely to be accepted.

Common error

While "a valid excuse" is widely acceptable, overuse in formal or professional writing can sound repetitive. Consider alternatives like "a legitimate reason" or "a justifiable explanation" to diversify your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid excuse" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "valid" modifies the noun "excuse". It typically acts as a subject complement or object of a preposition, indicating a justifiable reason. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

3%

Food

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid excuse" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to provide a justifiable explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Sports contexts. While broadly acceptable, remember to ensure that the excuse is genuinely reasonable and to vary your language in formal writing to avoid repetition. Consider using alternatives like "a legitimate reason" or "a justifiable explanation" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate reason

Replaces "excuse" with "reason" and "valid" with "legitimate", emphasizing the justifiability.

a justifiable explanation

Substitutes "excuse" with "explanation" and "valid" with "justifiable", focusing on the act of explaining with justification.

an acceptable justification

Replaces "excuse" with "justification" and "valid" with "acceptable", highlighting the acceptance of the reason.

a sound alibi

Replaces the entire phrase with "a sound alibi", indicating a defense against an accusation.

a good reason

Simplifies the phrase by using "good" instead of "valid", focusing on the quality of the reason.

a convincing explanation

Substitutes "valid" with "convincing", emphasizing the persuasiveness of the explanation.

a reasonable ground

Replaces "excuse" with "ground" and "valid" with "reasonable", referring to a rational basis.

an admissible defense

Replaces "excuse" with "defense" and "valid" with "admissible", suitable in legal or formal contexts.

a tenable argument

Substitutes the phrase with "a tenable argument", suggesting a defendable point.

an understandable cause

Replaces "excuse" with "cause" and "valid" with "understandable", emphasizing the comprehensibility of the reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valid excuse" to justify or explain a particular action or situation. For example, "I was late to the meeting, but I had "a valid excuse": my train was delayed".

What are some alternatives to saying "a valid excuse"?

Alternatives include "a legitimate reason", "a justifiable explanation", or "an acceptable justification", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a valid excuse" and "a good excuse"?

While both phrases indicate a reason for something, "a valid excuse" suggests that the reason is justifiable or legitimate, whereas "a good excuse" simply implies that it is satisfactory or convincing. A "valid excuse" is more about the reason's inherent rightness, while a good excuse is about its effectiveness.

When is it appropriate to use "a valid excuse"?

It is appropriate to use "a valid excuse" when you need to provide a justifiable reason for a mistake, absence, or any situation requiring explanation. It is suitable in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure the excuse is genuinely reasonable and appropriate.