legitimate excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

'legitimate excuse' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain the reason for something, particularly when that reason appears to be an acceptable one. For example: "I was late for the meeting, but I had a legitimate excuse; my car broke down on the way there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is no legitimate excuse not to.

The New York Times

Injuries are a legitimate excuse for their poor start.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, Outofthebox had a legitimate excuse for his loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Each leader has got a legitimate excuse if his party loses.

Independent

Now that "demography" seems to be a perfectly legitimate excuse, the state is speaking more clearly.

The Guardian

Washington's special teams coach, LeCharls McDaniel, didn't feel as if Turk had a legitimate excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

If we stay with digital islands people have a legitimate excuse to piracy".

The New York Times

Sometimes I sleep through the alarm, but now I have a legitimate excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Secondly, it gives you a legitimate excuse to get away from your desk".

The Guardian

Martin at least had a legitimate excuse: back spasms that pained him whenever he moved.

The New York Times - Sports

The teachers without legitimate excuse will be penalized a day's pay, the archdiocese said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "legitimate excuse", ensure that the reason you are providing is not only believable but also aligns with generally accepted standards of justification for the context. Simply stating an excuse is not enough; demonstrate why it holds up under scrutiny.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate excuse" as a blanket statement to deflect responsibility without providing specific details. Instead of saying 'I have a legitimate excuse,' clearly explain the reason and provide supporting evidence to strengthen your case and maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate excuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase that serves to introduce or describe a reason that is considered valid, acceptable, or justifiable. It is often used to explain or defend an action, absence, or failure. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase appears in diverse contexts ranging from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate excuse" is a noun phrase used to denote a valid or acceptable reason, most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. When employing "legitimate excuse", ensure the reason provided is believable and justifiable, avoiding vagueness to maintain credibility. Alternatives include "valid reason" or "acceptable explanation". The phrase serves to provide rationale, seek understanding, and mitigate blame, reflecting its versatility and necessity in various communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid reason

Focuses on the reason being sound and justifiable.

justifiable reason

Highlights the aspect of the reason being capable of being defended or shown to be right.

acceptable explanation

Emphasizes that the explanation is reasonable and can be agreed upon.

valid justification

Similar to valid reason, but with more of a legal or formal connotation.

reasonable grounds

Implies a foundation or basis for the excuse being considered legitimate.

genuine reason

Highlights the authenticity and sincerity of the reason.

defensible explanation

Indicates that the explanation can be supported and argued for.

plausible excuse

Suggests the excuse is believable and likely to be true.

sound basis

Emphasizes that the excuse is supported by solid evidence or reasoning.

warranted reason

Suggests that the reason is justified and appropriate in the given circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "legitimate excuse" to introduce a reason that is considered valid or acceptable. For example, "Being stuck in traffic is a "legitimate excuse" for being late to work."

What's a less formal way to say "legitimate excuse"?

Informally, you could say "good reason" or "valid explanation". A "valid reason" suggests that there's acceptable justification for the action.

What are some synonyms for "legitimate excuse" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using "justifiable reason", "valid justification", or "acceptable explanation". Each alternative, like a "justifiable reason", emphasizes the acceptability of the reason.

Is there a difference between "legitimate excuse" and "excuse"?

Yes, "legitimate excuse" implies that the excuse is valid and acceptable, whereas "excuse" alone can refer to any reason, valid or not. A "legitimate excuse" has demonstrable support.