bogus excuses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bogus excuses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe reasons or justifications that are false or not credible, often in a context where someone is trying to avoid responsibility. Example: "When he failed to show up for the meeting, he offered a series of bogus excuses that no one believed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You have a lot of bogus excuses, but obviously, the majority of people who have the say don't want it".

The New York Times - Sports

Lohan also had her own Billy Wilder moment on the set of Georgia Rule when the producer, took the unprecedented step of writing her a letter complaining of her "bogus excuses" and "all night heavy partying".

Independent

Will they embrace the courage and conviction one would expect of the highest administrators at institutions of higher learning, or cower behind superficial press releases and bogus excuses?

Huffington Post

Avoid tired, bogus excuses including "it just happened", temptation, seduction by someone else, confusion, not realizing that it was happening, not meaning to do it, or falling prey to the influence of others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You can always just call in with a bogus excuse and people are forbidden to challenge it.

Vice

That contention -- that God's hand or worker blunder caused a disaster -- is a bogus employer excuse that managers frequently dredge up.

Huffington Post

But Mr. De Niro gives a surprisingly nuanced performance of a monster offering a long list of bogus reasons to excuse his evil.

The New York Times

Lawmakers shouldn't fall for the bogus Amendment 1 excuse.

Los Angeles Times

It is for this, and only this, that ETA kills: its other excuses are bogus.

The Economist

He believed that the "I don't have time" excuse was bogus and unfounded.

Huffington Post

In some instances that may have been justified though experts like Tatsuhiko Kodama, head of the Radioisotope Centre at the University of Tokyo, say there was no excuse for the bogus assurances that there was no risk to public health.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bogus excuses", ensure that the context clearly indicates deception or lack of credibility. Avoid using it in situations where a genuine misunderstanding might exist.

Common error

Avoid using "bogus excuses" to describe situations where someone might have made a genuine error or oversight. The phrase carries a strong connotation of intentional deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bogus excuses" functions primarily as a noun phrase with an adjectival modifier. The adjective 'bogus' modifies the noun 'excuses', indicating that the excuses are fake, insincere, or not genuine. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bogus excuses" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that denotes false or insincere justifications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its common function in expressing disbelief or skepticism. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, it's more frequently observed in news and media sources. When using "bogus excuses", ensure the context aligns with intentional deception rather than genuine misunderstanding. Consider alternatives like "false alibis" or "fabricated justifications" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false alibis

This alternative emphasizes the deceptive nature of the justifications, particularly in situations where someone is trying to conceal their whereabouts or actions.

fabricated justifications

This option highlights the act of creating or inventing excuses, suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead.

phony explanations

This phrase suggests that the reasons given are not only untrue but also unconvincing and superficial.

contrived reasons

This emphasizes that the reasons are artificially created or manipulated to fit a particular narrative or agenda.

trumped-up pretexts

This alternative implies that the excuses are exaggerated or inflated to appear more significant than they actually are.

made-up stories

This phrase is more informal and suggests a complete lack of truth in the given reasons, indicating they are entirely fictional.

insincere apologies

While not directly related to excuses, insincere apologies often accompany them, highlighting a lack of genuine remorse.

dubious claims

This option focuses on the uncertainty and lack of evidence supporting the reasons given, making them questionable.

hollow promises

This alternative is related in that it suggests a lack of substance or genuine intention behind the given reasons, implying they are empty.

specious reasoning

This phrase indicates that the reasons presented appear plausible but are, in fact, based on faulty logic or deception.

FAQs

How can I use "bogus excuses" in a sentence?

You can use "bogus excuses" to describe reasons or justifications that are false or not credible. For example: "When he failed to show up for the meeting, he offered a series of "bogus excuses" that no one believed."

What are some alternatives to saying "bogus excuses"?

You can use alternatives like "false alibis", "fabricated justifications", or "phony explanations" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bogus excuses" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bogus excuses" carries a slightly informal tone. In very formal writing, consider alternatives like "unsubstantiated justifications" or "specious reasoning".

What's the difference between "bogus excuses" and "lame excuses"?

"Bogus excuses" implies that the reasons are false or deceptive. "Lame excuses", on the other hand, suggests that the reasons are weak, unconvincing, or pathetic, even if they might be technically true.