a viable excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a viable excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an excuse or justification for something that is deemed to be reasonable or legitimate. For example: "I couldn't finish my report on time, but I had a viable excuse—my computer crashed and I had to spend four hours fixing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Having a viable excuse to replace Goodell wouldn't be the only reason for the shift.

The Guardian - Sport

At least No. 15 Virginia (1-1) had a viable excuse for its 31-7 loss to South Carolina.

The New York Times - Sports

Being unaware of its effects is not a viable excuse anymore for being clueless about rape, especially if you are a policy maker, journalist, entertainer or athlete, or anyone else who has a public platform.

The New York Times

I paid $95 for five classes in the interest of journalistic research and creating a viable excuse to spend parts of five workdays with women in leotards and leggings.

The New York Times

She blotted her copybook for the first time when finishing last of seven runners in Sandown's Coral-Eclipse, but with a dirty scope a viable excuse, she was a 2-1 favourito to get back on the winning trail on the Knavesmire.

Independent

I couldn't figure out a viable excuse to cover my recklessness.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I didn't experience childhood trauma that would give me some viable excuse for my addiction, I was just born with a spark in my eye for trouble.

Vice

I didn't experience childhood trauma that would give me some viable excuse for my addiction.

Vice

Having a viable internal candidate doesn't ever excuse the succession planning process from looking outside to ensure that the best candidates for the job are considered.

Forbes

Touting a viable sea-change approach to education, No Excuses backers courted philanthropists and launched grassroots movements to raise money.

Huffington Post

These donkeys keep giving Israel an excuse to attack the Palestinian people and to frustrate the urgent task of creating a viable, independent Palestinian state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a viable excuse", ensure the excuse genuinely mitigates responsibility or explains the situation in a way that is understandable and acceptable within the given context.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a viable excuse" to mask deeper problems or repeated failures. Focus on addressing the root causes rather than simply finding acceptable explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a viable excuse" functions as a noun phrase, where "viable" modifies the noun "excuse". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It typically introduces a reason or justification intended to mitigate responsibility or explain a situation in an acceptable manner.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a viable excuse" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, indicating that it provides a reason that is believable, practical, and likely acceptable in a specific context. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across various sources, including news, science, and general reference materials, suggesting its versatility. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the excuse is not only believable but also genuinely mitigates responsibility or explains the situation effectively, avoiding its overuse as a simple cop-out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plausible justification

Emphasizes the believability and reason behind the justification.

a reasonable explanation

Underscores the logical and rational nature of the explanation.

a sound explanation

Highlights the solidity and comprehensibility of the explanation.

a legitimate reason

Focuses on the lawfulness and acceptability of the reason.

a justifiable reason

Highlights the moral or ethical basis of the reason.

a credible alibi

Specifically refers to an excuse that proves someone's absence from a crime scene.

a compelling argument

Focuses on the persuasive strength of the reason.

a defensible rationale

Stresses the ability to argue for and justify the rationale.

a convincing story

Emphasizes the persuasive and believable nature of the narrative.

an acceptable pretext

Implies a reason that is superficially acceptable but may conceal the true motive.

FAQs

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

You can use "a viable excuse" to explain why something happened or why someone did something. For example, "She couldn't attend the meeting, but she had "a viable excuse": her child was ill."

What's a good alternative to "a viable excuse"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a plausible justification", "a legitimate reason", or "a reasonable explanation".

What does it mean for an excuse to be 'viable'?

When an excuse is "viable", it means it's considered practical, workable, and likely to be accepted as a valid explanation or justification. It suggests the excuse holds up under scrutiny.

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

While similar, "a viable excuse" often implies practicality and workability in the given situation, whereas "a valid excuse" simply suggests the excuse is legitimate or legally sound.