he excuses himself

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Finally he excuses himself.

The New Yorker

Then he excuses himself to go to the bathroom.

The New York Times - Books

He excuses himself for a cup of tea.

The New York Times - Arts

Then he excuses himself to go to the men's room.

The New Yorker

How did we come by this sort of decay?" "Decay?" He excuses himself and gets out of the car.

The New Yorker

I'm told they source everything locally" — he excuses himself from the table to take a business call.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Then he excused himself.

The New York Times

He excused himself.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he excuses himself" when you want to convey a polite or formal departure, often with an implicit or explicit reason. It's appropriate in both narrative and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid consistently using overly formal alternatives like "he absents himself" in informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or unnatural. Choose simpler options like "he steps away" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he excuses himself" functions as a verb phrase indicating a polite or formal departure. It suggests a temporary or permanent removal from a situation, as shown in Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI also confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he excuses himself" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone politely leaving a situation. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently used in News & Media. While alternatives like "he steps away" or "he takes his leave" exist, the best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability, making it a reliable option for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he steps away

This is a more casual and general way of saying someone is leaving briefly.

he asks to be excused

A polite way of requesting permission to leave.

he takes his leave

This phrase is more formal and suggests a permanent departure, unlike a temporary excuse.

he begs to be excused

This phrase is a polite and formal way of excusing oneself.

he withdraws himself

This alternative suggests a deliberate and often quiet removal from a situation.

he makes his excuses

This suggests that the person provides a reason for leaving, which may or may not be genuine.

he absents himself

This is a formal alternative implying a temporary departure or absence.

he removes himself

A somewhat formal and distancing way of saying someone leaves a place or situation.

he departs

This is a direct and somewhat formal way of saying someone leaves.

he takes a break

This alternative implies the reason for leaving is rest, not necessity or politeness.

FAQs

What does "he excuses himself" mean?

The phrase "he excuses himself" means that a male person is politely excusing himself from a situation, conversation, or event, often indicating a need to leave temporarily or permanently.

How can I use "he excuses himself" in a sentence?

You can use "he excuses himself" in a sentence like this: "During the formal dinner, "he excuses himself" to take an important phone call privately."

What are some alternatives to "he excuses himself"?

You can use alternatives like "he steps away", "he takes his leave", or "he absents himself" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he excuses himself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "he excuses himself". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.