provided an excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provided an excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of giving a reason or justification for a particular action or situation. Example: "He provided an excuse for his late arrival, claiming that traffic was unusually heavy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

European expansion, long condemned, provided an excuse for emulation.

The New York Times - Arts

Indonesia's continued prosperity provided an excuse for not doing so.

The New York Times

Nicephorus's action provided an excuse for Guiscard's later successful attacks against the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It provided an excuse for cracking down on their Islamist opponents.

The Economist

Illness from an insect bite provided an excuse to leave work for a day or two.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The Beijing consensus" provided an excuse for both autocrats and democrats to abandon liberal reforms.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The slightest provocation could provide an excuse.

The Washington Post

But it does provide an excuse for the occasional crackdown.

The Economist

It provides an excuse to move your hands while performing and provides a minor public service.

The New Yorker

A NEW biography of Margaret Thatcher provides an excuse not to write about Tony Blair's new baby.

The Economist

And it requires time-consuming study and practice, which conveniently provide an excuse for not dating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provided an excuse" when you want to indicate that someone offered a reason or justification for their actions or a situation. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the excuse is considered valid or not.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "provided an excuse" if the situation calls for a stronger or more precise term. Consider whether the reason given was a genuine explanation, a weak justification, or even a complete fabrication. Using alternatives like "offered a justification" or "furnished a pretext" can add depth to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provided an excuse" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "provided" is the verb and "an excuse" is the direct object. It indicates the action of offering a reason or justification, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provided an excuse" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of offering a reason or justification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While often implying a potentially weak or insincere justification, its connotation depends heavily on context. It appears frequently in news media and encyclopedias, with a more neutral register. When writing, be mindful of the nuance you intend to convey and consider stronger alternatives if needed. Remember that simply offering a reason, and excusing someone is a different degree of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave a reason

A more direct and straightforward alternative.

offered an explanation

A general alternative for giving details about a situation.

offered a justification

Emphasizes the act of defending or vindicating an action.

put forward a rationale

Implies a logical or reasoned explanation.

presented an alibi

Specifically refers to providing an explanation to avoid blame.

furnished a pretext

Suggests a false or insincere reason.

pleaded as defense

Refers to a formal or legal justification.

advanced an argument

Focuses on presenting a reasoned case for an action.

cited as the cause

Highlights the causal relationship being explained.

claimed as grounds

Emphasizes the basis or foundation for an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "provided an excuse" to indicate that someone offered a reason for their actions, for example, "He "provided an excuse" for being late, claiming there was heavy traffic".

What can I say instead of "provided an excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "gave a reason", "offered an explanation", or "presented a justification" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to say someone "provided an excuse"?

Not necessarily. While "provided an excuse" can imply the reason is weak or insincere, it can also be a neutral statement of fact. The context determines the connotation.

What's the difference between "provided an excuse" and "gave a reason"?

"Provided an excuse" often implies a need for justification due to a perceived fault or problem, whereas "gave a reason" is more neutral and simply states that a reason was offered.