excuse myself

USAGE SUMMARY

"excuse myself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in a situation where the speaker needs to politely leave or step away from a conversation or group. Here is an example: "I'm sorry, but I need to excuse myself from the meeting. I have another appointment that I need to attend to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I will excuse myself".

The New York Times - Sports

I interrupted him midsentence to excuse myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

No kidding, I had to excuse myself from the mats.

Independent

How can I excuse myself from these tabs?

The New York Times

I don't feel I have to excuse myself.

The Guardian

"At some point in the evening, I just excuse myself and go do it".

The New York Times

I excuse myself to her newly renovated powder room and throw up.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think you must be mistaken," I said, and tried to excuse myself.

The New Yorker

I excuse myself and leave it to my father to complete the taping.

The New Yorker

Sometimes he would fall asleep in the middle of an interview, and I would excuse myself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite the temptation, I politely excused myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excuse myself" when you need to politely leave a conversation or situation, especially in formal settings. It acknowledges the interruption and shows respect for others present.

Common error

Avoid using "excuse myself" too frequently in casual settings. Simpler phrases like "I'll be right back" or "I need to go" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excuse myself" functions as a performative utterance, directly enacting the act of excusing oneself. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase primarily serves to politely announce one's departure or temporary leave from a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excuse myself" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase used to politely announce one's departure from a conversation or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is widely recognized and accepted in written English. While appropriate in many contexts, it is especially suitable for formal settings. When using the phrase, it's advisable to offer a brief explanation for your departure to avoid any appearance of abruptness or rudeness. Alternative phrases include "ask to be excused" or "I must take my leave", depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask to be excused

This alternative explicitly requests permission to leave.

leave for a moment

This alternative indicates a brief absence.

beg your pardon for leaving

This alternative is a more formal and polite way to excuse oneself.

step away

Indicates a temporary departure from the current situation.

remove myself

This alternative suggests a deliberate action of leaving.

take my leave

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying goodbye.

withdraw myself

A more formal way to indicate removing oneself from a situation.

slip away

Suggests leaving discreetly without drawing attention.

absent myself

This alternative is a formal and somewhat less common way to say "excuse myself".

bow out

Suggests withdrawing from a situation or commitment.

FAQs

How do I use "excuse myself" in a sentence?

You can use "excuse myself" to politely announce your departure from a conversation or setting. For example, "Please "excuse myself", I have another meeting to attend".

What's the difference between "excuse me" and "excuse myself"?

"Excuse me" is used to get someone's attention or to ask for forgiveness, while "excuse myself" is specifically used to announce your departure. For example, "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" versus "I must "excuse myself" now".

What can I say instead of "excuse myself" in a formal situation?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "I beg your pardon for leaving", or "I must "ask to be excused"".

Is it ever impolite to "excuse myself"?

While generally polite, abruptly "excusing myself" without a brief explanation could be seen as rude. Always offer a concise reason for leaving, such as "I have another appointment" or "I need to take this call".