general excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a broad or non-specific reason for an action or behavior, often in contexts where someone is trying to justify something without providing detailed explanations. Example: "He offered a general excuse for his absence, saying he had personal matters to attend to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A desire for speed is not a general excuse for ignoring equal protection guarantees.

Cornell University

As the majority notes, "a desire for speed is not a general excuse for ignoring equal protection guarantees".

The New York Times

"Would you like to comment on the accusations being made about your site by the Attorney General?" Excuse me?

TechCrunch

Similarly, a general excuse for failing to do something failing to apply one's brakes, for example—would be that one couldn't do it.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The buyer is, in general, excused from the payment of interest as well as additional damages if the delay of payment was due to unforeseeable and unavoidable obstacles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Non-league Hereford United's bonny commitment and often adroit bravado would readily have put out any number of Premiership swankpots with their babel of foreign slickers with no stomach for the unceremoniously folksy traditions of the FA Cup's annual general-excuse-me democracies when the hoi-polloi can play the hoity-toity for a day.

The Guardian - Sport

As we talk, an elderly blind man who had tapped past us with a walking stick moments ago returns to our table and says in McEnroe's general direction, "Excuse me, sir, you must be John McEnroe".

The New York Times - Magazine

But as a general rule the excuse department is closed.

TechCrunch

We all ultimatley belong to each other, and our current system of grossly over-individualized prosecution and punishment is simply a means to relieve ourselves of community responsibility in general, and excuse ourselves from personal guilt in particular.

Huffington Post

I think he brings that to the game and to painting, and I would imagine to other parts of his life, although I can't really say that"....When Costello was asked to comment on Ewing's play in general, she excused herself and went off for a short while to compose a brief text.

The New Yorker

I think he brings that to the game and to painting, and I would imagine to other parts of his life, although I can't really say that.''...When Costello was asked to comment on Ewing's play in general, she excused herself and went off for a short while to compose a brief text.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general excuse", ensure the context clarifies why the excuse is considered broad or lacking specifics. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "general excuse" when specific reasons are available. Providing detailed explanations enhances credibility and demonstrates accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general excuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a type of explanation offered to justify or pardon an action, emphasizing its lack of specificity or detail. Ludwig shows that it often appears in legal or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general excuse" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a broad, non-specific justification for an action or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears in diverse contexts, ranging from academic discussions and news reports to encyclopedic entries. While "general excuse" itself is relatively infrequent, understanding its meaning and appropriate usage is crucial for effective communication. Consider alternative phrases like "vague justification" or "standard excuse" to fine-tune your writing for clarity and precision. Over-reliance on "general excuse" without specific details can undermine credibility, making detailed explanations preferable when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard excuse

Emphasizes the conventional and expected nature of the excuse.

vague justification

Focuses on the lack of specificity in the excuse.

generic pretext

Focuses on the excuse being unoriginal and widely used.

catch-all justification

Implies the excuse is used to cover various scenarios.

typical rationalization

Indicates the excuse is a usual or predictable way of thinking.

broad explanation

Emphasizes the wide scope of the explanation provided.

overall explanation

Focuses on providing an encompassing explanation, even if lacking detail.

commonplace rationalization

Highlights the ordinary or typical nature of the excuse.

blanket statement

Suggests the excuse is a sweeping declaration covering many situations.

universal alibi

Highlights the widespread applicability of the excuse.

FAQs

How can I use "general excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "general excuse" to describe a broad or non-specific reason for an action. For example: "He offered a "general excuse" for his absence, saying he had personal matters to attend to".

What's the difference between "general excuse" and "specific reason"?

"General excuse" refers to a vague or broad explanation, while "specific reason" provides detailed and precise justification for an action. A "general excuse" lacks the clarity and detail of a specific reason.

What can I say instead of "general excuse"?

Alternatives to "general excuse" include "vague justification", "broad explanation", or "standard excuse" depending on the context.

Is it better to give a "general excuse" or a specific explanation?

In most situations, providing a specific explanation is preferable as it demonstrates transparency and accountability. A "general excuse" might be acceptable in informal contexts or when details are confidential, but it's often perceived as less sincere.