as an excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"as an excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone wants to explain why they did something that was wrong or inappropriate. For example: He used his age as an excuse for not showing up to work on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You can use this as an excuse".

The New York Times

But most see this as an excuse.

The Economist

Don't use it as an excuse".

The New York Times

They cannot use it as an excuse.

Independent

As an excuse he brought the $15.

The New Yorker

They claimed this as an excuse.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I don't accept that as an excuse.

Independent

DC: "Don't use me as an excuse.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Use markets as an excuse to explore.

The New York Times

The soldiers see it as an excuse.

The Guardian

Never use your kids as an excuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an excuse", ensure the context is clear. It often implies a negative connotation, suggesting the reason is weak or insincere. Be mindful of this when writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as an excuse" repeatedly in your writing. This can make your arguments seem defensive or insincere. Explore alternative phrases to add variety and nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an excuse" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the purpose or reason behind an action, often with a negative connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests a justification that is weak or insincere.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as an excuse" is a prepositional phrase used to express that a stated reason is being used as a justification, often implying that the reason is weak or insincere. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. It's commonly found in News & Media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be aware of its negative connotations and to consider alternative phrases if a more neutral tone is desired. Be aware of overusing this phrase in order to maintain the quality of your text. Key alternatives include "as a pretext" and "as a justification".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a pretext

Focuses more on the deceptive or hidden nature of the reason.

on the pretext of

Similar to 'as a pretext' but adds a layer of formality.

as a justification

Emphasizes the act of providing reasons to defend or validate an action.

to rationalize

Highlights the attempt to make an action seem reasonable, even if it is not.

with the aim of justifying

Highlights the intended goal of providing a justification.

to explain away

Suggests an attempt to dismiss or minimize the significance of an action.

in an attempt to vindicate

Suggests an effort to clear oneself from blame or suspicion.

as a cover

Implies that the reason is being used to hide the real motive or purpose.

as an alibi

Highlights the use of a false explanation to avoid blame or suspicion.

under the guise of

Emphasizes the deceptive appearance or pretense of the stated reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "as an excuse" to show that someone is using something as a reason to justify their actions, often with a negative implication. For example, "He used his busy schedule "as an excuse" for not attending the meeting".

What can I say instead of "as an excuse"?

Alternatives include "as a pretext", "as a justification", or "to rationalize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "as a reason" or "as an excuse"?

"As a reason" is more neutral, simply stating a cause or explanation. "As an excuse", however, implies that the reason is weak, inadequate, or insincere.

What's the difference between "excuse" and "justification"?

An "excuse" is often a weaker reason used to explain a fault or failure, while a "justification" is a stronger reason that defends or legitimizes an action. The phrase "as an excuse" highlights the weakness of the stated reason.