make an excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an excuse" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone needs to provide an excuse for something they have done or not done. For example, "If you don't want to go the party, you are going to have to make an excuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We make an excuse.

The Washington Post

You can't make an excuse.

The New York Times

We don't want to make an excuse.

Independent

I'm not one to make an excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

But I don't want to make an excuse right now.

The New York Times - Sports

There's nothing you wouldn't make an excuse for".

The New Yorker

I make an excuse and go to get the crew.

The Guardian - Film

"You just ship it and make an excuse for it".

The New York Times

"There's always something you could make an excuse on.

The New York Times - Sports

If she were sober, she'd definitely make an excuse.

The New Yorker

Eric said: "It's one of those things that's tough to make an excuse for.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an excuse", consider the context and whether a more direct or honest approach might be more appropriate. Over-reliance on excuses can erode trust.

Common error

Avoid phrasing excuses in a way that diffuses responsibility. Instead of saying "Mistakes were made", take ownership by stating "I made a mistake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an excuse" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of offering a reason, often insincere, to justify or explain a behavior or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

42%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an excuse" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of offering a reason, often to avoid responsibility or confrontation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential impact on trust and consider whether a more direct approach would be more beneficial. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions that diffuse accountability. While alternatives like "offer a justification" or "provide a reason" exist, "make an excuse" is a straightforward way to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a reason

A more general way to describe giving an explanation for something.

offer a justification

Focuses on providing reasons to explain or defend an action or decision.

rationalize behavior

Emphasizes the act of creating a logical but not necessarily true explanation for actions.

offer a pretext

Focuses on providing a false reason or motive to conceal the real one.

invent a story

Suggests creating a fabricated account to avoid blame or responsibility.

defend one's actions

Highlights the act of justifying or protecting one's behavior from criticism.

concoct an explanation

Implies devising a clever or elaborate reason, often to deceive.

evade responsibility

Highlights the act of avoiding accountability for one's actions.

plead a case

Emphasizes arguing in favor of a particular explanation or defense.

find an alibi

Specifies the act of establishing a verifiable account of being elsewhere when an event occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "make an excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "make an excuse" when you need to provide a reason, sometimes insincere, for your actions or inactions. For example, "I had to "make an excuse" to leave the boring party early."

What are some alternatives to "make an excuse"?

Alternatives to "make an excuse" include "offer a justification", "rationalize behavior", or "provide a reason", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it better to "make an excuse" or be honest?

While it might seem easier to "make an excuse" in the short term, honesty often builds stronger relationships and fosters trust in the long run.

What's the difference between "make an excuse" and "give a reason"?

"Make an excuse" often implies that the reason given is not entirely truthful or is intended to avoid blame, whereas "give a reason" is a more neutral way of saying you're providing an explanation.