accept an excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept an excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has made an excuse for either their behavior, mistakes they have made, or some other form of asking for forgiveness. For example: "The manager refused to accept the excuse that the employee had been too busy to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Explain them very clearly that you will not accept an excuse saying " Everyone else did it".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

True Phantom followers will not accept any excuse from Webber.

Huffington Post

On Sunday, the Nets were playing their fourth game in five nights, something Nets Coach Byron Scott would not accept as an excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

The SEC and its supporters pleaded that the agency simply doesn't have the time or the resources to pursue cases more fully or aggressively -- an argument that Rakoff doesn't fully dismiss but one that he refuses to accept as an excuse in the face of alleged wrongdoing so outrageous and emblematic.

Huffington Post

Nor would he accept any excuses.

The New York Times - Sports

"I will not accept any excuses in that," he said.

The New York Times

But some influential party loyalists have made it clear they will not accept any excuses.

The New York Times

Don't accept an unscrupulous seller's excuses.

WikiHow

I must avoid professional denial, which can be so damaging, and the temptation to accept a patient's excuse or explanation.

The Guardian

This is not the first time that a jury has accepted a "lawful excuse" defence in a criminal damage case – but it is the first time it has happened in relation to climate change.

The Guardian - Opinion

The school's cafeteria is a food court that includes sushi and a pizza oven; the school's deans cheerfully accept a host of excuses for plagiarism and cheating.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accept an excuse", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the acceptance is genuine or merely a pragmatic acknowledgement. Using adverbs like "reluctantly" or "fully" can add nuance.

Common error

Be careful not to imply endorsement when you only mean to acknowledge the excuse. Saying you "accept an excuse" doesn't mean you agree with the action that prompted it; it just means you acknowledge the reason given.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept an excuse" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of acknowledging and possibly forgiving a reason offered to justify a behavior or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accept an excuse" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe acknowledging and potentially forgiving a justification. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and usability. It's important to consider the context and whether the acceptance implies genuine forgiveness or simply an acknowledgement of the provided reason. Related phrases, such as "forgive a justification" or "understand the explanation", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. When writing, ensure that the use of "accept an excuse" accurately reflects the intended level of understanding and agreement, avoiding potential confusion between acceptance and endorsement. Several authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgive a justification

Substitutes "excuse" with "justification" and "accept" with "forgive", highlighting the act of pardoning.

condone a reason

Replaces "excuse" with "reason" and "accept" with "condone", implying a reluctant acceptance.

pardon the reason given

Emphasizes forgiveness and uses a more formal tone.

understand the explanation

Replaces "excuse" with "explanation" and shifts the focus to comprehension rather than acceptance.

grant absolution for the reason

Uses stronger terms to show that an excuse has been cleared or forgiven.

let the justification stand

Indicates acceptance by allowing the excuse to be valid.

take the explanation at face value

This phrase suggests accepting the excuse without questioning its truthfulness.

overlook the reason

Implies ignoring the excuse entirely, which is a form of acceptance.

accede to the reason

Uses a formal tone to denote agreement with the reason provided.

regard the reason as sufficient

Focuses on considering the excuse adequate.

FAQs

How can I use "accept an excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "accept an excuse" when you want to express that you are acknowledging and potentially forgiving someone's reason for their actions. For example, "The teacher decided to "accept an excuse" from the student for being late because of the bus delay".

What's a more formal way to say "accept an excuse"?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "accede to the reason" or "deem the explanation acceptable". These alternatives offer a more professional tone compared to the everyday ""accept an excuse"".

What's the difference between "accept an excuse" and "offer forgiveness"?

"Accept an excuse" acknowledges the reason given, while "offer forgiveness" implies a deeper level of understanding and pardoning. You might accept an excuse without fully forgiving the underlying action.

When is it appropriate to not "accept an excuse"?

It may be appropriate to not ""accept an excuse"" when the reason given is insincere, demonstrates a lack of accountability, or when accepting it would compromise ethical standards or safety.