found an excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found an excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone has identified or created a reason to justify a particular action or decision, often in a context where the excuse may not be entirely valid. Example: "After missing the meeting, she quickly found an excuse to explain her absence to her boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

He always found an excuse to postpone.

The Guardian

"Every time they could, they found an excuse to beat me," she said.

The New York Times

Every Monday she found an excuse not to have the conversation.

The New York Times

Seeking an escape route, she found an excuse to visit the embassy in Islamabad in 2014.

The Guardian

Benjamin found an excuse not to come; he kept making excuses to the end.

The Guardian - Books

If they had found an excuse to huddle, they would have had a hard time justifying changing the call.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

And it may find an excuse.

The Economist

"They find an excuse," he said.

The Guardian

He couldn't find an excuse for a trip.

Independent

Will the United States find an excuse to clobber Saddam Hussein?

The Economist

The SCAF will almost certainly find an excuse to pick its own constituent assembly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the excuse is plausible within the context of your writing, as using an unbelievable excuse can weaken your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "found an excuse" in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "created a pretext", "identified a loophole", or other contextually relevant alternatives to enhance clarity and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found an excuse" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a clause. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of identifying or creating a justification for something, typically to avoid a responsibility or explain an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "found an excuse" is a commonly used expression that denotes the act of identifying or creating a reason, often to justify an action or avoid responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While grammatically sound and frequently encountered across various contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and everyday conversations, it's important to consider more precise synonyms to enrich your writing and avoid overuse. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is suitable for different writing styles, although formal contexts might benefit from alternative expressions. When incorporating this phrase, ensure the excuse aligns logically with the scenario and consider if alternative phrases provide more clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit upon a reason

Highlights discovering or identifying a reason to avoid something.

devised a pretext

Implies a more elaborate or fabricated excuse.

discovered an out

Indicates finding a way to avoid a situation.

seized upon a pretext

Suggests quickly taking advantage of an existing excuse.

conjured a reason

Suggests creativity or imagination in creating the excuse.

manufactured a justification

Highlights the artificial or constructed nature of the excuse.

thought up a rationale

Implies careful consideration of the reason.

contrived a story

Focuses on the deceptive or fabricated nature of the explanation.

formulated an alibi

Specifically refers to providing an explanation to avoid blame.

identified a loophole

Suggests using an ambiguity to justify an action.

FAQs

How can I use "found an excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "found an excuse" to describe someone who created a reason, not always valid, to justify an action or avoid a responsibility. Example: "He found an excuse to leave the party early."

What can I say instead of "found an excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "devised a pretext", "contrived a story", or "identified a loophole" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "find an excuse" or "make an excuse"?

"Find an excuse" suggests discovering an existing reason, while "make an excuse" implies creating or fabricating one. The best choice depends on whether the excuse was pre-existing or newly created.

What's the difference between "found an excuse" and "gave a reason"?

"Found an excuse" often implies the reason given is not the true or complete reason, and may be intended to avoid blame or responsibility. "Gave a reason" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily suggest dishonesty or avoidance.