an important excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a justification or reason that holds significant weight or relevance in a particular context. Example: "He had an important excuse for missing the meeting, as he was attending a family emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This may not be enough to get the Chinese to do what's necessary, but it will take away an important excuse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wendy: "So the brain is more important?" Excuse me... she went off to paint, didn't she?

The Guardian - Music

"Actually this is really important, excuse me.

Huffington Post

Known by its Irish name, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, the event is a euphoric toast to the healthy state of Irish music and, more important, an excuse for an astonishing party.

The New York Times - Arts

We came in early, we stayed late, and one of my friends peed down her leg rather than dare ask if she could be excused from an important meeting (questionable decision, but you see that her determination was in the right place).

Huffington Post

But complexity is not an excuse, it is an important reality.

Independent

Remember: his reaction to the Great Crash was to tell the City "we must not let the left use this as an excuse to wreck an important part of the British and world economy" and to start preaching hardcore Thatcherite slash-and-trash economics.

Independent

When on 7 July 2014, Theresa May announced there would be a public inquiry into child abuse, she may have been excused for thinking an important item had been ticked off the governmental to-do list.

BBC

We can't have any excuses because this is an important part of the calendar.

The Guardian - Sport

They refused to use partisanship as an excuse for inaction, but rather as an important component in a healthy debate.

Huffington Post

Use a realistic excuse (important meeting, food cooking in the oven) to end the conversation.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an important excuse", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates why the excuse is significant. Providing specific details or supporting information can strengthen its validity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "an important excuse" when the justification is trivial or lacks genuine significance. Overusing the phrase can diminish its credibility and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important excuse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a justification or reason for an action or inaction, emphasizing its significance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

26%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important excuse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a justification or reason that holds significant weight. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare, the phrase appears across different contexts, predominantly in news and media. When employing "an important excuse", ensure the context clearly supports the importance of the excuse to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives such as "a significant reason" or "a compelling justification" can be used to add nuance or variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key justification

Highlights that the excuse is of considerable importance.

a major reason

Highlights the magnitude of the reason.

a significant reason

Emphasizes the weight and impact of the reason provided.

a compelling justification

Highlights the persuasive and convincing nature of the excuse.

a valid explanation

Focuses on the legitimacy and acceptability of the reason.

a substantial pretext

Implies the excuse has a considerable basis or foundation.

a critical rationale

Stresses the importance and necessity of the reasoning.

a weighty alibi

Highlights the serious nature and impact of the excuse as a defense.

a considerable mitigation

Focuses on the excuse's ability to reduce the severity of a situation.

a primary consideration

Shifts the focus to the excuse being a key factor in decision-making.

FAQs

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

You can use "an important excuse" to explain why someone couldn't attend an event, missed a deadline, or behaved in a certain way. For example, "He had "an important excuse" for missing the meeting, as he was dealing with a family emergency."

What are some alternatives to "an important excuse"?

Some alternatives to "an important excuse" include "a significant reason", "a compelling justification", or "a valid explanation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an important excuse" or "a valid excuse"?

Both "an important excuse" and "a valid excuse" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "An important excuse" emphasizes the significance or weight of the reason, while "a valid excuse" focuses on its legitimacy or acceptability.

What makes an excuse "important"?

An excuse can be considered "important" if it relates to a critical situation, involves significant consequences, or affects key stakeholders. For instance, attending to a family emergency is generally considered "an important excuse" for missing work.