easy excuse for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy excuse for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a justification or rationale that is perceived as simple or insufficient for a particular action or situation. Example: "He always finds an easy excuse for not completing his assignments on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I think that would be an easy excuse for us," Hartley said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's an easy excuse for them," says Priest, as he fetches a watering can from an outhouse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Casting addiction as a brain disease rather than a behavioral disorder, Satel says, gives addicts an easy excuse for relapse.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's such an exhausted trope, and such an easy excuse for a surrealist like Burton to wheel on the freaks.

The New Yorker

Told of the alderman's comments, Jacquelyn Heard, the mayor's spokeswoman, said: "Isn't that an easy excuse for hiring someone who has a reputation for not working?

The New York Times

And because Republicans are hardly A-list guests this time around, the occasion provided an easy excuse for a long weekend out of town.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is not a religion that makes easy excuses for people.

The Guardian

The trouble is that although things like bad weather and air-traffic-control problems are easy excuses for the airlines' failures, they're also real problems, and any airline dedicated to keeping its on-time arrivals high could easily find its efforts, in the short run, stymied by storms or by high volume.

The New Yorker

And they have let their conspiracy theories about America and Israel become easy excuses for why they never have to look at themselves -- why they never have to ask, How is it that we had this incredible windfall of oil wealth and have done so poorly at building societies that can tap the vast potential of our people?

The New York Times

Even Venus X, who founded the seminal underground party GHE20G0TH1K, said that gender has been an all-too-easy excuse for people to underestimate her.

Vice

It is an easy excuse to reach for but England have fielded 46 players on this trip and not all of them were totally exhausted.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "easy excuse for", ensure the context clearly indicates that the excuse is being viewed skeptically or critically. Avoid using it when a genuine, valid reason is being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "easy excuse for" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound overly critical or dismissive. Opt for more nuanced language when a legitimate reason or justification is being presented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy excuse for" functions as a modifier followed by a prepositional phrase. It typically qualifies a situation or action, suggesting a reason that is simple, convenient, but often insincere or inadequate. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easy excuse for" is a commonly used expression to denote a reason or justification that is considered weak, inadequate, or insincere. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts such as news articles, blogs, and everyday conversations. While the phrase itself is neutral, its intended purpose is often to convey criticism or skepticism towards the excuse being presented. Understanding the subtleties of this phrase allows for more effective and nuanced communication, avoiding overuse and choosing more appropriate alternatives when necessary. This way, you can ensure the sentiment is precisely aligned with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convenient pretext

Replaces "excuse" with "pretext", suggesting a more deliberate or fabricated justification.

simple rationalization

Substitutes "excuse" with "rationalization", implying an attempt to make something seem reasonable, often after the fact.

ready justification

Emphasizes the immediate availability of the excuse, implying it's been prepared in advance.

weak alibi

Uses "alibi" to suggest an excuse specifically intended to avoid blame or suspicion.

flimsy explanation

Replaces "excuse" with "explanation", highlighting the lack of substance or credibility.

poorly constructed defense

Uses legal terminology to imply the excuse is weak and unlikely to succeed.

thinly veiled attempt

Suggests the excuse is transparently hiding the real reason or motivation.

superficial pretext

Highlights the lack of depth and genuineness of the excuse.

makeshift justification

Emphasizes the impromptu and potentially inadequate nature of the excuse.

simplistic explanation

Replaces 'excuse' with 'explanation' and points out the oversimplified nature of it.

FAQs

How can I use "easy excuse for" in a sentence?

You can use "easy excuse for" to express that a reason or justification is weak or unconvincing. For example, "Blaming the weather is just an "easy excuse for" their poor performance".

What are some alternatives to "easy excuse for"?

Alternatives include "convenient pretext", "simple rationalization", or "weak alibi", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "easy excuse for"?

Yes, "easy excuse for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability.

What is the difference between "easy excuse for" and "valid reason for"?

"Easy excuse for" implies a lack of legitimacy or a superficiality, while "valid reason for" suggests a genuine and justifiable cause. The former is often used critically, whereas the latter is neutral or supportive.