accepting the excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepting the excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of acknowledging or permitting a reason given for a mistake or failure. Example: "After reviewing the situation, the manager decided that accepting the excuse was the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Accepting the excuse, the health visitor left.

The Guardian

But something stopped me from accepting the excuse she was offering: I didn't want my father to see me afraid.

The New Yorker

No more accepting the excuse that an LGBT person is voting for the Republican Party because they are a fiscal conservative.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, who was working as a bricklayer when he attended the match in Sheffield, said at the time: "She has been so resolute in not accepting the excuses that were often placed at her door.

BBC

Steve Rotheram, Labour MP for Liverpool Walton, who was working as a bricklayer when he attended the match in Sheffield, said: "She has been so resolute in not accepting the excuses that were often placed at her door.

BBC

Sadly, the cycling world accepts the excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

Tonight's crowd may not accept the excuse that he is "not supposed to know anything about foreign policy".

The Economist

Not sure your boss will accept the excuse that you were doing charity work from your bed.

The Guardian

He allowed one earned run on a two-run homer by Hunter Pence and did not accept the excuse of the stiff wind carrying the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Even Washington, the Los Angeles Southwest athletic director, said he did not accept the excuse that women at his college and others like it were not interested in sports.

The New York Times - Sports

She trusted his reputation as "one of the best" and accepted the excuse that he had to see patients late at night -- 2 a.m. on one occasion -- because he was involved in research during the day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accepting the excuse", ensure the context clearly indicates who is accepting the excuse and what the specific excuse is. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the communication.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing "accepting the excuse". Instead of saying "The excuse was accepted", specify who is "accepting the excuse" for clarity and impact. This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepting the excuse" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It describes the act of acknowledging and considering a justification for an action or situation, whether or not it implies full approval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

33.33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accepting the excuse" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe the act of acknowledging a justification, explanation, or reason. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, albeit with a relatively low frequency. The phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject and the excuse itself are well-defined within the sentence to avoid ambiguity. While perfectly acceptable, consider alternatives like "acknowledging the explanation" or "believing the reason" to add nuance or avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledging the explanation

Emphasizes the recognition and awareness of the explanation, differing from tacit approval.

believing the reason

Focuses on the aspect of trust and conviction in the provided explanation.

validating the reason

Implies a confirmation or authentication of the provided reason.

consenting to the justification

Highlights the agreement and permission aspect tied to the given justification.

taking the explanation at face value

Highlights acceptance without questioning or further investigation.

receiving the apology

Focuses on the acceptance of an apology rather than a general excuse.

allowing the alibi

Refers to accepting an alibi, a specific type of excuse related to whereabouts.

acceding to the reason

Implies agreement or compliance with the provided reason.

granting the exemption

Specifically refers to allowing an exception based on a presented reason.

tolerating the justification

Implies a reluctant acceptance or endurance of the given justification.

FAQs

How can I use "accepting the excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "accepting the excuse" to describe the action of acknowledging a reason provided for a mistake or failure. For example: "After considering all factors, the manager decided that "accepting the excuse" was the best approach".

What are some alternatives to "accepting the excuse"?

Alternatives include phrases like "acknowledging the explanation", "believing the reason", or "validating the reason", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "accepting the excuse" grammatically correct?

Yes, "accepting the excuse" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase and can be used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

What's the difference between "accepts the excuse" and "accepting the excuse"?

"Accepts the excuse" is a verb phrase indicating a present action, while "accepting the excuse" is a gerund phrase, which can function as a noun. For example, "He accepts the excuse" versus "Accepting the excuse was a difficult decision".