cannot excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating that something cannot be justified or forgiven. Example: "His actions were so severe that they cannot excuse his behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

That cannot excuse what they did.

The New York Times

Yet that cannot excuse mass murder.

The Economist

"I cannot excuse Mamadou for this.

The New York Times - Sports

Warm words about friendship between neighbours cannot excuse it.

The Economist

But the lack of resources cannot excuse Bristol.

The Guardian

But the stress of combat cannot excuse desecrating corpses — not to mention filming it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Ric Klass cannot be excused for making "Excuse Me for Living," a lumbering mess in which he has somehow trapped several recognizable actors.

The New York Times

Injuries are a mitigation but cannot entirely excuse this performance.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet surely local managers cannot plausibly excuse such fundamental failings at their hospitals by blaming diktats from the centre.

The Economist

We cannot, however, excuse the Conners Company for the bargee's failure to care for the barge, and we think that this prevents full recovery.

Harvard University

But it's important to avoid keeping your emotions to yourself, especially if you cannot simply excuse yourself from the room or remove yourself from the situation.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight of "cannot excuse". It conveys a strong sense of disapproval, so use it when you want to emphasize the severity of the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot excuse" as a simple disagreement. This phrase implies a moral or ethical boundary has been crossed, not just a difference of opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot excuse" functions as a negative declarative, asserting that something is not justifiable or pardonable. Ludwig examples show it used to express disapproval or rejection of an action, irrespective of potential mitigating factors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot excuse" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to strongly reject or condemn an action or behavior, emphasizing its unjustifiable nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable across a range of contexts, with news and media being the most frequent. While alternatives like ""cannot justify"" or ""is inexcusable"" exist, "cannot excuse" carries a unique weight, indicating a moral or ethical boundary has been crossed. Therefore, it's important to use it with precision, reserving it for situations where the disapproval is significant and unequivocal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot justify

Emphasizes the lack of valid reasons or arguments to defend the action.

is inexcusable

Uses an adjective to describe the act as impossible to excuse.

cannot condone

Focuses on the inability to accept or approve of the behavior.

is unjustifiable

Uses an adjective to describe the act as impossible to justify.

cannot forgive

Highlights the impossibility of granting pardon or absolution.

cannot defend

Stresses the lack of means or arguments to support the action.

offers no excuse

Highlights the complete absence of any valid justification.

cannot vindicate

Highlights the inability to clear someone from blame or suspicion.

cannot sanction

Focuses on the lack of official approval or authorization.

cannot overlook

Emphasizes the inability to ignore or disregard the behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot excuse" to express that a behavior or action is unjustifiable. For example, "I "cannot excuse" his lying, regardless of the circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "cannot excuse"?

Alternatives include "cannot justify", "cannot condone", or "is inexcusable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "cannot excuse" or "should not excuse"?

"Cannot excuse" implies a stronger, more definitive stance than "should not excuse". Use "cannot excuse" when you believe there is absolutely no justification for the action, while "should not excuse" suggests a recommendation against excusing it.

What's the difference between "cannot excuse" and "cannot forgive"?

"Cannot excuse" focuses on the act itself being unjustifiable, while "cannot forgive" addresses the personal inability to pardon the offender. You might "cannot excuse" a crime, but still "cannot forgive" the perpetrator for personal reasons.