be excused

USAGE SUMMARY

"be excused" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or polite language. Example: I kindly request to be excused from tomorrow's meeting due to a prior commitment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

May I Be Excused?

The New York Times

(Perhaps some Britons can be excused).

The New York Times

Perhaps he can be excused his excitement.

The Economist

"The injury can be excused".

The Guardian - Film

Few others could be excused.

The Guardian - Sport

If you didn't, you may be excused.

The New Yorker

Their refusal cannot be excused any more.

The New York Times

The children could be excused for sleeping.

The New York Times

"May I be excused?" Oliver asked.

The New Yorker

The price could be excused if the sound were exceptional.

The New York Times

Mr Gayoom can be excused for being alarmed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be excused" when you want to politely request or grant permission to leave or be exempt from a situation. It's suitable for formal settings, such as meetings or dinners.

Common error

Avoid replacing "be excused" with overly casual phrases like "take off" or "bail" in formal situations. While understandable, these alternatives can be perceived as disrespectful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be excused" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, often used in polite requests or statements regarding permission to leave or exemption from a duty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be excused" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys politeness and formality when requesting permission to leave or seeking exemption. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct in written English. Its versatility allows it to function in various contexts, from formal requests to justifications for actions. As illustrated by examples, "be excused" is most commonly found in news articles, academic writing, and general communications where politeness and respect are valued. It is important to avoid replacing it with overly casual alternatives in formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be excused

Indicates permission or possibility of being excused from a task or situation.

can be excused

Similar to 'may be excused' but suggests ability or capacity to be excused.

is forgiven

Focuses on the act of forgiveness rather than the permission to leave or be exempt.

is pardoned

A more formal and legalistic way of saying 'is forgiven'.

is justified

Suggests that there is a valid reason or excuse for an action.

is exempt

Highlights the state of being free from an obligation or duty.

is absolved

Implies a formal or religious release from guilt or blame.

is vindicated

Suggests that someone has been proven right or justified after doubt.

granted leave

Focuses on the act of granting permission to be absent.

given permission to depart

A more formal way of saying 'allowed to leave'.

FAQs

How to use "be excused" in a formal sentence?

You can use "be excused" in formal requests such as "May I "be excused" from the meeting?" or in formal statements such as "Reasonable absences with advanced notice will "be excused"."

What does it mean to "be excused"?

"Be excused" generally means to be granted permission to leave a place or situation, or to be forgiven for a mistake or transgression. The meaning changes depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to ask to "be excused"?

It is appropriate to ask to "be excused" when you need to leave a formal setting, such as a dinner, meeting, or class, before it has officially ended. It's a polite way to request permission to depart.

Which is correct, "can I "be excused"" or "may I "be excused""?

Both "can I "be excused"" and "may I "be excused"" are grammatically correct, but "may I "be excused"" is generally considered more polite and formal when seeking permission.