proper excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proper excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a valid or acceptable reason for an action or behavior, often in contexts like attendance or accountability. Example: "He didn't attend the meeting, but he provided a proper excuse for his absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Respect leader, who lost his Bradford West seat to Labour last month, pledged to use powers of compulsory purchase to seize homes that had been left vacant for a year without a "proper excuse".

Independent

Or, a temporary Fashion Week pop-up bar at the Hôtel de Crillon instigated by Carine Roitfeld, the editor of French Vogue, to provide all the random beauties floating around town a proper excuse to strap on their stilettos and their gilded Balmain rags.

The New York Times

A real Prince!" was a proper excuse.

Huffington Post

"I don't think any of those reasons are a proper excuse for discussing policy on auditing teacher files in closed session". Joel Peterson, a member of LCUSD's governing board, said the board was "absolutely" justified in holding the meeting in closed session.

Los Angeles Times

Don't be the one to end the conversation if you don't have a proper excuse.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As it was, Mr. Greenstein came by with a question concerning something I should have done that had been left undone, and it took me a time to remember the details and offer the proper apologies and excuses, and so it was about five-twenty when I descended from the lower level of Grand Central to the still lower level of the subway platforms.

The New York Times - Magazine

The proper response to that excuse is of course, "Who the hell cares?" It's not as though the men and women who are there had any say in the matter, and visiting them is a way of demonstrating that you honor their service.

The Washington Post

But there were many accounts of Hijras being disapproved of doing proper jobs for the excuse of them being inappropriate, as stated by a respondent: "I never wanted to be a sex seller.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

But in a proper home, there is no excuse for not having a decent mini-library in the smallest room.

The Guardian - Books

In federal court, lawyers for Wisconsin have called its election rules "voter friendly" compared with those of many states, and said the court's voter ID order was so lax that any excuse for lacking proper identification documents, including that "the DMV is haunted," was sufficient.

The New York Times

Even major antivenom producers often have to (or embrace the excuse to) forego proper clinical tests before rollout.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proper excuse", ensure that the reason provided is genuinely valid and aligns with the expectations of the situation. Avoid using it for trivial matters.

Common error

Don't assume any reason is a "proper excuse". The adjective "proper" implies that the reason should be appropriate and reasonable for the context. A flimsy or obviously fabricated excuse will undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proper excuse" functions as a noun phrase, where "proper" modifies the noun "excuse". Ludwig AI confirms its role in denoting a valid or acceptable reason. It usually appears as an object of a verb, such as "provide a proper excuse".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proper excuse" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, typically functioning as a noun phrase to denote a valid or acceptable reason. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral to formal register. While related phrases like "valid justification" or "acceptable reason" offer similar meanings, "proper excuse" specifically emphasizes the appropriateness and legitimacy of the reason provided. When using this phrase, remember that the excuse should be genuinely valid and align with the expectations of the situation to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification

Replaces "excuse" with a more formal term, "justification", and "proper" with "valid", emphasizing the legitimacy of the reason.

acceptable reason

Uses simpler language, replacing "proper excuse" with everyday terms that convey the same meaning of an admissible explanation.

legitimate explanation

Substitutes "proper" with "legitimate", highlighting the authenticity and lawfulness of the explanation.

reasonable alibi

Offers a more specific context, implying the excuse is used to deflect blame or suspicion, akin to providing an alibi.

suitable justification

Similar to valid justification, but with a focus on the appropriateness of the reason in a given context.

adequate explanation

Emphasizes that the explanation is sufficient and meets the necessary requirements.

convincing rationale

Suggests the excuse is persuasive and logically sound.

defensible reason

Implies the reason can be supported and justified against scrutiny.

justifiable pretext

Similar to "reasonable alibi", but leans more towards a cover story that has some basis in reality.

satisfactory account

Focuses on the idea that the explanation meets the required standards or expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "proper excuse" to refer to a valid or acceptable reason for something. For example, "He didn't attend the meeting, but he provided a "proper excuse" for his absence."

What is a synonym for "proper excuse"?

Alternatives to "proper excuse" include "valid justification", "acceptable reason", or "legitimate explanation".

What makes an excuse "proper"?

A "proper excuse" is one that is deemed reasonable, appropriate, and justifiable given the circumstances. It should be convincing and align with accepted standards of behavior.

Is it better to offer an apology or a "proper excuse"?

Whether you should offer an apology or a "proper excuse" depends on the situation. If you are at fault, an apology is more appropriate. If there is a valid reason for your actions, providing a "proper excuse" can help explain the situation.