as the excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a justification or reason for a particular action or behavior. Example: "He used his busy schedule as the excuse for not attending the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Homenick's office is at 60 Centre Street, in Room 139 — informally known as the excuse room.

The New Yorker

"Everyone's using that as the excuse not to do what they promised," he said.

The New York Times

Anyway, Jacqueline used the book as the excuse for a breach with us.

The Guardian - Arts

"Difficult economic circumstances" – that is, the lack of jobs – was offered up as the excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

A fight started, and it was used as the excuse for the police to charge.

The Guardian - Arts

Miliband will tell the TUC: "We must stop flexibility being used as the excuse for exploitation".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The war seemed as unending as the excuses of Western leaders for their inaction.

The New York Times

Farage's inevitability is now as wearying as the excuses by those who give him a platform.

The Guardian - Opinion

As for the excuse notes, she wondered if anyone would ever read them.

The New York Times

As for the excuses – "well, we don't want six toasters" – so what?

The Guardian - Opinion

They are billed as the "perfect excuse for a night in with friends".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "as the excuse", ensure the context makes it clear who is offering the excuse and why it might be viewed skeptically.

Common error

Avoid using "as the excuse" indiscriminately. This phrase is more effective when there's an implication that the provided reason is not the complete or genuine explanation. Overusing it can make your writing sound cynical or biased. In neutral contexts, opt for more direct phrases like "as the reason" or "because of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the excuse" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often introducing a clause that explains the apparent or stated reason for an action or situation. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase suggests that the given reason may not be the complete or genuine one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as the excuse" is a common way to introduce a reason or justification, often with an underlying implication of doubt or skepticism. Grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media, its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey that the presented reason might not be the full truth. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and frequent usage of this phrase. When writing, be mindful of this subtle nuance and ensure it aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the pretext

Replaces 'excuse' with 'pretext', implying a reason that is not necessarily the true one.

as the rationale

Substitutes 'excuse' with 'rationale', suggesting a more reasoned and logical justification.

as the justification

Replaces 'excuse' with 'justification', emphasizing a reason that seeks to make something right or acceptable.

as the reason

A more straightforward substitution, where 'excuse' is replaced with 'reason'.

as the basis

Replaces 'excuse' with 'basis', indicating a foundational reason.

as the grounds

Substitutes 'excuse' with 'grounds', which suggests reasons that support a particular decision or action.

as the explanation

Replaces 'excuse' with 'explanation', focusing on clarifying or making something understandable.

as a cover

Uses 'cover' instead of 'excuse', implying something that conceals the real reason.

as a pretext

Similar to 'as the pretext', emphasizing a false or insincere reason.

under the guise of

Implies that something is done under a false appearance or pretense.

FAQs

What does "as the excuse" mean?

The phrase "as the excuse" suggests that a particular reason is being presented, but it might not be the full or genuine explanation. It often implies a degree of skepticism or doubt about the validity of the reason given.

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

You can use "as the excuse" to indicate that someone is using a particular reason to justify their actions or explain a situation, with the implication that the reason might not be entirely truthful. For example: "He used his busy schedule "as the excuse" for not attending the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "as the excuse"?

Some alternatives to "as the excuse" include "as the reason", "as the justification", "as the pretext", or "under the guise of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as the excuse" in formal writing?

While "as the excuse" is grammatically correct, it carries a subtle implication of doubt or skepticism. In formal writing, consider whether this nuance is appropriate. If a more neutral tone is desired, using "as the reason" may be a better choice.