cannot be excused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be excused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action or behavior is inexcusable or unjustifiable. Example: "His repeated tardiness cannot be excused, as it disrupts the entire team's workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Their refusal cannot be excused any more.

The New York Times

What he did cannot be excused, but it should be understood.

The New York Times

"But the lie in an investigation of this importance for Colombia cannot be excused," he added.

The New York Times

Of course what happened cannot be excused, either legally or ethically.

The New York Times

Mr. Harris states weakly, "Of course what happened cannot be excused, either legally or ethically".

The New York Times

The atmosphere of hate that some citizens of Farmingville have fostered cannot be excused or tolerated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Eliot also wrote a particularly nasty and unjust letter to Marianne Moore that cannot wholly be excused by the crisis in his marriage.

The New York Times - Books

On March 30th, the new chief American weapons inspector for Iraq talked of "new information" about WMD but gave little idea what it was, beyond evidence of a general Iraqi capability to produce such weapons.In the case of the deficit, the budget mis-statements cannot even be excused on the grounds of simple error.

The Economist

With youth on your side, many unconventional aesthetic decisions cannot only be excused, but become integrated into youth culture; that is: cool culture.

Vice

As such, the modern ecological data collected during this study can be accepted at face value as representing healthy reef attributes, and high abundances of macroalgae cannot simply be excused as representing impacted ecosystems suffering from unknown anthropogenic interferences.

Plosone

If Hiltzik is unfamiliar with these facts, that can be excused; what cannot be is his attribution of a statement to me that I did not make.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be excused", ensure the context clearly establishes what action or behavior is being deemed unacceptable. Providing specific details enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

While "cannot be excused" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "that's not okay" or "that's just wrong" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be excused" functions as a judgmental statement, indicating that an action or behavior is unacceptable and without justification. It is a passive construction used to express strong disapproval or condemnation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage of this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be excused" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something is unacceptable or unjustifiable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to strongly condemn actions in formal and professional contexts. While alternatives like "is inexcusable" or "is unacceptable" exist, "cannot be excused" maintains a particular force in emphasizing a lack of valid justification. When using the expression, clarity and context are vital for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is inexcusable

Replaces the passive construction with a direct adjective, emphasizing the lack of justification.

is unjustifiable

Similar to "inexcusable", but focuses on the lack of valid reasons or defense.

is unacceptable

Highlights that the action or behavior does not meet required standards or expectations.

cannot be justified

Emphasizes that no reasonable argument can make the action right.

is not defensible

Indicates that the action cannot be supported or protected from criticism.

is beyond forgiveness

Focuses on the severity of the action, implying it's too serious to pardon.

is unpardonable

Highlights that the action is impossible to excuse or forgive.

is not to be tolerated

Stresses the importance of not allowing the action to continue or be accepted.

is without justification

Directly states the absence of any valid reason for the action.

is indefensible

Similar to "is not defensible", but emphasizes the impossibility of defending the action.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be excused" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be excused" to express strong disapproval or indicate that something is unjustifiable. For example, "His blatant disregard for the rules "cannot be excused"." Alternatives include "is inexcusable" or "is unacceptable".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be excused"?

Alternatives to "cannot be excused" include "is unjustifiable", "is not defensible", or "is beyond forgiveness". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and tone you want to convey.

Is it better to use "cannot be excused" or "is inexcusable"?

Both "cannot be excused" and "is inexcusable" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of your writing. "Cannot be excused" is a passive construction, while "is inexcusable" is more direct.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be excused"?

"Cannot be excused" is appropriate in formal writing or speech when you want to strongly condemn an action or behavior. It is often used in legal, ethical, or professional contexts where accountability is crucial. However, it may sound overly formal in casual settings.