poor excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "His excuse for being late was a poor excuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Talking afterward, that's a poor excuse".

The New York Times - Sports

So it's a poor excuse to make".

The New York Times - Sports

That our intentions are good is a poor excuse.

The New Yorker

It was a poor excuse for a dive [laughs].

The Guardian

Undergraduates at Princeton called the Kindle DX "a poor excuse of an academic tool".

The New York Times - Magazine

It would be a poor excuse if we've done so again.

The New Yorker

It's true that there are no good options here, but that's a poor excuse for paralysis.

The New York Times

But that's a poor excuse for the cynicism that dominates conventional foreign policy.

The New York Times

Asserting that "there is simply too much to know" is a poor excuse for justifying ignorance.

The New York Times

This might be interpreted as a poor excuse, but it is also wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

World issues shouldnt be used as a poor excuse to promote fan battles".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing an excuse, follow "poor excuse" with a specific explanation of why it's inadequate. For example, "His excuse for being late was a "poor excuse" because he lives only five minutes away."

Common error

Avoid using "poor excuse" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "weak justification" or "inadequate reason" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor excuse" functions as a critical evaluation of a given justification or reason. It expresses disapproval and indicates that the reason provided is inadequate or unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide range of sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor excuse" is a commonly used phrase to express disapproval of a weak or inadequate justification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, its impact can vary based on context. For stronger impact, specify why the excuse is inadequate. To avoid repetition, use synonyms like "weak justification" or "inadequate reason". Remember to tailor your language to the specific situation and audience to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate reason

Directly points out the insufficiency of the provided reason.

weak justification

Emphasizes the lack of strength or validity in the provided reason.

lame rationale

Highlights the unconvincing and often humorous inadequacy of the reason.

feeble explanation

Focuses on the lack of substance or persuasiveness in the explanation.

flimsy pretext

Suggests that the reason is insubstantial and easily exposed as false.

unconvincing alibi

Specifically refers to a defense that fails to persuade.

hollow argument

Highlights the lack of genuine substance or merit in the argument.

shaky grounds

Indicates the instability and unreliability of the justification.

pathetic attempt

Focuses on the miserable failure of trying to justify something.

transparent lie

Highlights the obvious and easily detectable nature of the falsehood.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor excuse" to express that a reason or justification is inadequate or unconvincing. For example: "Saying you forgot your homework is a "poor excuse"."

What can I say instead of "poor excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "weak justification", "lame rationale", or "feeble explanation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "poor excuse" or "bad excuse"?

"Poor excuse" and "bad excuse" are largely interchangeable. "Poor excuse" may be slightly more formal or emphatic in some contexts, but both are common.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "poor excuse"?

It is appropriate when you want to express that a reason given for something is inadequate, unacceptable, or unconvincing. Use it when you want to directly challenge the validity of the given reason.