he excused himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he excused himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is leaving a situation or conversation politely, often to indicate they need to step away for a moment. Example: "During the meeting, he excused himself to take an important phone call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he excused himself.

The New York Times

He excused himself.

The New York Times

He excused himself to go find out her name.

The New Yorker

He excused himself to lead the afternoon prayer.

The New Yorker

Then he excused himself and went to preach.

The New Yorker

He excused himself to go up into the signalling tower.

The New Yorker

Chuckles accomplished, he excused himself and finally reached his table.

The New York Times

With that, he excused himself to download the order.

The New York Times

Then he excused himself to perform an unpleasantly familiar chore.

The New York Times

He excused himself, "you know how things were".

The Guardian

He excused himself and walked off to get changed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he excused himself" to politely indicate someone is temporarily leaving a conversation or situation. This phrase adds a touch of formality and courtesy.

Common error

Avoid using "he excused himself" in extremely casual settings; it may sound overly formal. Opt for a more relaxed phrase like "he stepped out" or "he had to leave" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he excused himself" functions as a polite way to indicate that someone is leaving a conversation or situation, often temporarily. It implies a courteous departure, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he excused himself" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a polite departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, signaling a neutral to slightly formal register. When aiming for alternative phrasing, options like "he took his leave" or "he stepped away" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Remember to consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the overall tone of your writing. While being appropriate in many formal situations, avoid in very casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he begged to be excused

This alternative emphasizes a formal request to leave, often implying politeness or deference.

he took his leave

This suggests a more formal and sometimes abrupt departure.

he stepped away

Implies a temporary departure for a short period, focusing on the physical act of moving.

he withdrew himself

This option conveys a sense of formality and detachment during the departure.

he absented himself

Indicates a formal or official departure, often for a specific reason or duty.

he departed

A straightforward way of saying he left, suitable in many contexts.

he made his exit

Focuses on the act of leaving as a performance or deliberate action.

he left the scene

This phrase emphasizes the action of leaving a location or event.

he took a break

Suggests he left to rest or take a short pause.

he disappeared for a moment

Implies a sudden or mysterious departure, often temporary.

FAQs

What does "he excused himself" mean?

The phrase "he excused himself" means that someone politely left a conversation or situation, usually temporarily. It suggests they asked for permission or gave a polite explanation for their departure.

How to use "he excused himself" in a sentence?

You can use "he excused himself" like this: "During the dinner, he excused himself to take a phone call." It shows a polite departure for a specific reason.

What can I say instead of "he excused himself"?

Alternatives include "he took his leave", "he stepped away", or "he begged to be excused", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "he excused himself" formal or informal?

"He excused himself" is generally considered a polite and somewhat formal phrase. In very casual settings, phrases like "he stepped out" might be more appropriate.