be excused from

USAGE SUMMARY

"be excused from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone has been granted permission not to do something or to leave a place. For example: "I asked my teacher if I could be excused from cleaning up the classroom, and he said yes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pending Vegan felt blessed to be excused from explaining it.

The New Yorker

"Sir, I request that I be excused from this duty".

The New Yorker

Will they be excused from honoring the nation's anti-discrimination laws?

The New Yorker

Under certain circumstances the seller may be excused from his obligation to deliver on time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lewis raised his hand and said, "I need to be excused from this meeting".

The New Yorker

Soldiers asked to be excused from the mission, complaining of sore limbs or faulty weapons.

The Economist

They also sign notes saying children are sick and should be excused from school or P.E.

The New York Times - Magazine

His success persuaded his parents that he could be excused from working in the family business.

The New Yorker

Monsignor Lynn's lawyer had asked that the cardinal be excused from testifying because of his dementia.

The New York Times

They'd used it to get out of chores, to be excused from church.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

KOLB EXCUSED FROM CAMP Buffalo Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb was excused from training camp because of a death in his family.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be excused from" when you want to clearly state that someone has been granted permission not to participate in a particular activity or fulfill a specific duty.

Common error

Avoid using "excused for" when you mean "excused from". "Excused for" explains the reason for being excused (e.g., "He was excused for being late"), while "excused from" indicates what one is relieved of (e.g., "He was excused from the meeting").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be excused from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone is granted permission or exemption from an obligation or duty. It's commonly used to denote that a person doesn't have to participate in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be excused from" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that someone has been granted permission or exemption from a particular duty or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are clear about what the person is being excused from and avoid confusing it with "excused for", which explains the reason for the excusal. Alternatives such as "be exempt from" or "be relieved of" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be exempt from

Focuses on a general exemption, often due to a rule or policy, rather than a specific request or permission.

obtain an exemption from

Formal and emphasizes the process of acquiring an official exemption.

be relieved of

Suggests the removal of a burden or responsibility, often implying a sense of ease.

be released from

Implies a removal of obligation or duty, sometimes suggesting a freeing from a burden.

be absolved of

Implies a formal or moral release from responsibility or obligation.

be dispensed from

Suggests the formal waiving of a requirement or duty.

be permitted to miss

More formal than "skip", indicating official allowance to be absent.

be allowed to skip

Informal and suggests permission to not attend or participate in something.

get a pass from

Suggests receiving special consideration or exemption from a task.

be let off the hook for

Informal and implies escaping a difficult situation or obligation.

FAQs

How can I politely ask to "be excused from" a meeting?

You can say, "I apologize, but would it be possible for me to "be excused from" the remainder of the meeting? I have another urgent matter to attend to."

What's the difference between "be excused from" and "be exempt from"?

"Be excused from" typically refers to a specific instance where permission is granted not to do something. "Be exempt from" implies a general rule or policy that excludes someone from an obligation.

Is it correct to say "I was excused to leave" instead of "I was "be excused from""?

No, "I was excused to leave" is less common and grammatically awkward. The correct and more natural phrasing is "I was "be excused from"" or "I was excused to leave early" if you want to add extra information.

What are some formal alternatives to ""be excused from""?

Formal alternatives include "be exempt from", "be relieved of", or "be dispensed from", depending on the specific context and level of formality required.