convincing excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"convincing excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is seeking to explain or defend their actions. For example, "He was unable to provide a convincing excuse for why he had been late to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So I had to find a convincing excuse.

The New Yorker

Jordan was about to make up a long, elaborate, and convincing excuse, but there were footsteps outside on the porch, and both of them turned in time to see the door thrown open.

The New Yorker

Neither is it a convincing excuse.

Smart Learning Environments

Explain your reasons for not drinking or make a convincing excuse.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

All seemingly convincing excuses to leave have already been used by the rest of the group (who were all there just a second ago).

TechCrunch

While I told them I really just couldn't comply and that I would if I could, it never occurred to me to simply make up convincing excuses such as being vegetarian or kosher (I was neither) or having a terrible stomach ache (I didn't).

Huffington Post

Because you come from the same gene pool and are raised in the same way, it's much tougher to find a convincing, palatable excuse for why your brother owns his own company, a vacation house and four fancy sports cars -- and you don't.

The New York Times

So far, Amtrak's responses have been excuses, not convincing reasons for why its boarding process has to be the way it is.

The Economist

But none of these excuses is convincing – why should staff pay for their own career development and why don't restaurants pay other staff a better wage?

The Guardian - Opinion

Try not too sound to nervous or too confident when making excuses or convincing someone why you can't do homework.

WikiHow

00.16: "Every year Brad and Kate spend the holidays avoiding their families," says Mr Generically-Cheesy Voiceover Guy, after we see Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn phoning around their families making convincing-sounding feeble excuses and heading off to the airport.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting a "convincing excuse", consider your audience and tailor the excuse to align with their expectations and beliefs. A generic excuse might not suffice; specificity and plausibility are key.

Common error

Avoid relying on frequently used excuses like "I was stuck in traffic" or "I had a family emergency" without providing details. Overuse diminishes credibility, so strive for originality and authenticity in your explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convincing excuse" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "convincing" modifies the noun "excuse". It describes an excuse that is believable or likely to be accepted. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to describe justifications for actions or inactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "convincing excuse" describes an explanation designed to be believable and acceptable. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. To craft a more compelling excuse, tailor it to your audience and provide specific details, avoiding overused clichés. Consider alternatives such as "plausible explanation" or "credible justification" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plausible explanation

Replaces "excuse" with "explanation", emphasizing the act of making something comprehensible.

believable alibi

Substitutes "excuse" with "alibi", focusing on providing proof of being elsewhere, typically used in legal contexts.

credible justification

Replaces "convincing" with "credible" and "excuse" with "justification", both reinforcing the idea of believability and validity.

valid reason

Simplifies the phrase by using "valid reason", which conveys the legitimacy and soundness of the explanation.

sound explanation

Uses "sound" to emphasize the rational and logical nature of the explanation.

tenable rationale

Replaces "excuse" with "rationale", suggesting a more reasoned and logical explanation, while "tenable" suggests defensibility.

satisfactory explanation

Focuses on meeting the required standard of acceptance or believability.

persuasive defense

Emphasizes the act of defending an action in a manner that is convincing.

well-founded pretext

Highlights that the excuse has a strong basis and is not simply a fabrication.

authentic account

Highlights the genuineness of the explanation, suggesting it is truthful and reliable.

FAQs

How can I make an excuse sound more convincing?

To enhance the believability of an excuse, provide specific details, maintain consistency in your story, and align the excuse with your character. Avoid vagueness and ensure the excuse aligns with the context in which it is presented. Showing remorse can also help.

What are some alternatives to saying "convincing excuse"?

Consider using phrases like "plausible explanation", "believable alibi", or "credible justification" depending on the context. These alternatives offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to offer a simple excuse or an elaborate "convincing excuse"?

The complexity of the excuse should match the severity of the situation. For minor issues, a simple excuse may suffice. However, for more significant issues, a well-thought-out and "convincing excuse" with supporting details may be necessary to maintain trust and credibility.

When is it appropriate to use a "convincing excuse"?

A "convincing excuse" is appropriate when you need to provide a reason for your actions or inactions that is both believable and justifiable, particularly when honesty might be detrimental or insufficient. However, consider the ethical implications and potential consequences of using deception.