my excuses

USAGE SUMMARY

"my excuses" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to apologize for something or if you are offering an excuse as to why you are unable to do something. For example: "My excuses for not being able to attend your birthday party, I was ill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My excuses: 1.

The New Yorker

I make my excuses and ring off.

Independent

So I made my excuses and left.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She had taken away all my excuses".

The New York Times

I make my excuses and leave.

The Guardian - Arts

In other words, I had my excuses.

The New York Times - Travel

My excuses for not finishing it before were fair enough.

The New Yorker

Once she's sufficiently reassured, I make my excuses and leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

At that point I made my excuses and left.

The Guardian

Over time, though, my excuses grew more baroque.

The Guardian - Books

I made my excuses and headed for Tony's.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my excuses" to politely decline an invitation or engagement, follow it with a concise and sincere explanation to maintain a respectful tone.

Common error

Avoid frequently using "my excuses" without offering valid or understandable reasons, as this can come across as insincere or evasive. Ensure your explanation aligns with the context to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my excuses" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression used to politely offer an apology or provide a reason for declining a request or explaining a fault. Ludwig AI suggests it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my excuses" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to offer apologies or provide justifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, its use can range from neutral to informal contexts. While offering alternatives like "my apologies" or "my reasons" is valuable, ensure you provide a genuine explanation to avoid appearing insincere. It is worth noting that this expression should not be used as a substitute for a more appropriate apology when an actual fault or grave situation has occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my apologies

A formal way to express regret or offer an apology.

my reasons

A general way to state the causes or justifications for something.

my regrets

Expresses sorrow or disappointment, often for not being able to attend or participate.

my explanations

Provides details or reasons to clarify a situation or action.

my justifications

Offers reasons or explanations to defend or validate an action or decision.

my rationale

Presents the underlying principles or logic behind a decision or action.

reasons for leaving

Provides explanations for departing from a place or situation.

reasons for declining

Offers explanations for refusing an invitation or offer.

my defense

A formal way to provide reasons or justifications for an action.

my alibi

Presents a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place.

FAQs

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

You can use "my excuses" to politely decline an invitation, explain a mistake, or justify an action. For example, "My excuses for not attending the meeting; I had a prior engagement".

What are some alternatives to "my excuses"?

Alternatives include "my apologies", "my regrets", or "my reasons", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "my excuses" or "I apologize"?

The choice depends on the situation. "My excuses" is often used when you're unable to do something or need to explain a minor fault. "I apologize" is a more direct expression of remorse.

When is it inappropriate to use "my excuses"?

Avoid using "my excuses" when a sincere apology is required for causing significant harm or distress. In such cases, a direct apology is more appropriate.