good excuses

USAGE SUMMARY

"good excuses" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a noun phrase to refer to reasons or justifications that are believable and acceptable. Example: "She had a list of good excuses prepared in case her boss asked why she was late to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Her government has some good excuses.

The Economist

As adults these are not good excuses".

The Guardian - Film

For centuries now, gardens have given people good excuses to leave home.

The New York Times - Books

The winger has some good excuses for his quiescence at Stamford Bridge before the Hiddink period.

The Guardian - Sport

"There are good excuses, I'm sure, for all these wrecks," she said.

The New York Times - Food

But why should the big corporations get to use all the good excuses?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

They had a good excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

"Charlotte had a good excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

And they have a good excuse.

The New Yorker

Mind you, he has a good excuse.

Independent

He had a pretty good excuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good excuses", consider the context and ensure the reasons provided are both believable and appropriate for the situation. Overly elaborate or frequent excuses can undermine credibility.

Common error

Avoid relying on "good excuses" as a constant crutch. Regularly needing "good excuses" can damage your reputation and suggest a lack of responsibility. Focus instead on preventing the need for excuses in the first place by managing commitments and time effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good excuses" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It consists of an adjective ("good") modifying a noun ("excuses"). Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

24%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good excuses" refers to believable and acceptable justifications for actions or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While grammatically sound and commonly used across contexts like news and media, overuse can undermine credibility. It's essential to ensure that the reasons provided are appropriate and not used as a constant crutch. Alternatives such as "valid reasons" or "plausible justifications" may be more suitable depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid reasons

Focuses on the legitimacy and acceptability of the reasons.

plausible justifications

Emphasizes the believability and defensibility of the justifications.

acceptable explanations

Highlights the suitability and satisfactoriness of the explanations.

convincing alibis

Suggests reasons that effectively remove blame or suspicion.

legitimate grounds

Indicates a firm and lawful basis for the reasons.

sound arguments

Highlights the rationality and persuasiveness of the provided arguments.

defensible reasons

Focuses on reasons that can be supported or justified.

credible explanations

Emphasizes the trustworthiness and reliability of the explanations.

reasonable grounds

Suggests reasons that are fair, sensible, and appropriate.

satisfactory account

Highlights that the account or explanation is sufficient and meets the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "good excuses" in a sentence?

You can use "good excuses" to describe reasons or justifications that are believable and acceptable. For example, "She had a list of "good excuses" prepared in case her boss asked why she was late to work."

What's the difference between "good excuses" and "bad excuses"?

"Good excuses" are reasons or justifications that are plausible and acceptable, while "bad excuses" are unconvincing or inappropriate. The key difference lies in their believability and how well they align with the situation.

What can I say instead of "good excuses"?

You can use alternatives like "valid reasons", "plausible justifications", or "acceptable explanations" depending on the context.

Are there situations where providing "good excuses" is inappropriate?

Yes, constantly relying on "good excuses", even if they seem reasonable, can be seen as a lack of responsibility or commitment. In such cases, it's better to address the underlying issues and avoid needing excuses altogether.