excuse something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excuse something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are allowing or forgiving a particular action or behavior. Example: "I can excuse your lateness this time, but please try to be on time in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When Max took my uncle to a game, Max made an excuse, something about needing to use the restroom, and left his seat.

The New Yorker

I just thought that gratitude was an excuse, something that you said to people that were moaning about their situation, "You should be more grateful because some people are worse off than you" kind of thing.

HuffPost

But that is no excuse, something has to be done about it; they should find a way to solve it.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Using the fear of terrorism that we all have, the fear of the unknown that we all share, the fear of enemies that hate us, is a duplicitous and deeply wrong means of excusing something as base as spying on the citizens of your own country," he said.

The Guardian

I'm not going to stop watching football, but how do you excuse watching something as obviously evil as the NFL?

Vice

But her cousin Kelli (Carleigh Beverly) suspects that beneath Elizabeth's bumps and bruises — and excuses — something sinister is going on.

The New York Times - Arts

It is time we human beings agreed to wage an all out war on suffering so that it is never excused as something blessed again.

Huffington Post

"You going to a wedding or something?" "Excuse me!" exclaimed Goulding.

The Guardian - Music

Excuse me, but something doesn't add up here.

Huffington Post

Be sure to say, "Excuse me" if something or someone is blocking the entrance.

WikiHow

I only need it sometimes as an excuse if something happens, meaning recourse, medical recourse or something".

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excuse something", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being excused and why. This often involves specifying mitigating circumstances or offering a reason for overlooking the action.

Common error

While "excuse something" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal or professional settings can sound dismissive or insincere. Opt for more formal alternatives like "pardon", "justify", or providing a detailed explanation instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excuse something" functions as a verb phrase, where "excuse" is the verb and "something" is the direct object. It indicates the act of pardoning or overlooking a specific action or behavior. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excuse something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express forgiveness, justification, or overlooking an action. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and illustrates its usage in various contexts, primarily news and media, science, and general conversation. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "pardon something" in professional settings. Understanding its subtle nuances allows for more effective and contextually appropriate use, as indicated by the analysis provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pardon something

Replaces "excuse" with "pardon", offering a slightly more formal tone.

forgive something

Substitutes "excuse" with "forgive", emphasizing the act of absolution.

justify something

Focuses on providing a valid reason or explanation for an action.

rationalize something

Implies finding a logical or acceptable explanation, sometimes after the fact.

overlook something

Suggests ignoring or disregarding a fault or mistake.

make allowances for something

Highlights the act of considering mitigating circumstances.

condone something

Implies accepting or allowing an action, often with reluctance.

disregard something

Emphasizes the act of not paying attention to something.

turn a blind eye to something

Indicates a deliberate choice to ignore something unacceptable.

trivialize something

Suggests minimizing the importance or significance of something.

FAQs

What does "excuse something" mean?

The phrase "excuse something" means to forgive, overlook, or justify a fault, mistake, or behavior. It often implies understanding or acknowledging mitigating circumstances.

What can I say instead of "excuse something"?

You can use alternatives like "pardon something", "forgive something", or "justify something" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "excuse something"?

It's appropriate to use "excuse something" when you want to indicate that you are willing to overlook a minor fault or offer a justification for a behavior, especially when there are understandable reasons behind it.

Is "excuse something" formal or informal?

"Excuse something" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in very formal situations, using "pardon something" might be more appropriate.