reasonable excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

'reasonable excuse' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an excuse that provides a valid justification for an action. For example, "I'm sorry I'm late but I had a reasonable excuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no reasonable excuse for not doing that," he said.

Independent

There is also a defence of "reasonable excuse".

The Guardian - Opinion

There are bands out there who would find this a reasonable excuse to open the champagne.

The Guardian - Music

The jury was asked to consider whether he had "reasonable excuse" to breach the order.

The Guardian

Players must provide a reasonable excuse for missing tournaments or risk being fined by the WTA.

The New York Times - Sports

Consider an appeal if you had a reasonable excuse for not filing on time, say tax campaigners.

Independent

He accepted that he possessed the memory card but said he had a reasonable excuse for it.

Independent

"But it's not a blanket prohibition against masks, it's a prohibition against masks provided you don't have a reasonable excuse, and a reasonable excuse is, 'I'm making a political statement'," he said.

The Guardian

A few months later our neighbors, if they couldn't think up a reasonable excuse, came over for the Slide Show.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Doherty, 28, also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to appear in court without a reasonable excuse.

The New York Times - Arts

It waived the penalty for those who provided a "reasonable" excuse for being late, according to a leaked memo.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable excuse" in legal or formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'reasonable' standard within that specific context. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable excuse" as a catch-all justification without providing concrete details. Always substantiate why the excuse is considered reasonable under the given circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable excuse" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a justification that is considered acceptable under specific circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonable excuse" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to justify actions or inactions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across diverse sources, including news, formal business writing, and scientific publications. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, remember to provide sufficient detail to substantiate why the excuse is deemed 'reasonable'. Alternatives like "valid justification" or "legitimate reason" can be employed for more formal contexts. The essence of a "reasonable excuse" lies in its context-dependent validity, demanding specificity and clarity to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate reason

Stresses the lawfulness and permissibility of the reason.

justifiable reason

Emphasizes that the reason is morally or legally defensible.

valid justification

Emphasizes the legitimacy and acceptability of the reason.

satisfactory justification

Focuses on the reason meeting the required standards or expectations.

acceptable rationale

Focuses on the reason being satisfactory and justifiable.

defensible explanation

Focuses on the capacity of the explanation to be protected or upheld.

plausible explanation

Highlights the believability and apparent truthfulness of the reason.

understandable motive

Highlights the reason being easy to comprehend and empathize with.

sound argument

Highlights the logical strength and validity of the justification.

good cause

Simplifies the expression to a general and easily understood alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable excuse" to justify a missed deadline, absence, or any deviation from expected behavior. For example: "The student provided a "reasonable excuse" for missing the exam, which the professor accepted".

What's a more formal way to say "reasonable excuse"?

In a formal setting, you could use phrases like "valid justification", "legitimate reason", or "acceptable rationale" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

What are some examples of what might be considered a "reasonable excuse"?

Examples of a "reasonable excuse" might include illness, a family emergency, or unavoidable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling an obligation. The reasonableness often depends on the specific context and the expectations involved.

Is there a legal definition of "reasonable excuse"?

The legal definition of "reasonable excuse" can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific law in question. Generally, it refers to a valid and justifiable reason that would excuse someone from liability or responsibility. It's often determined on a case-by-case basis.