spurious excuses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spurious excuses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe excuses that are not genuine or are misleading. Example: "His spurious excuses for being late only made the situation worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It removes Saddam's spurious excuses for the suffering he inflicts on the Iraqi people and puts more pressure on the regime," the British foreign secretary, Jack Straw, said in a statement.

The New York Times

I called them Dickensian, mocked their poor service, questioned their spurious excuses for tardiness—I gave them the sort of verbal seeing-to that only myself and a disgruntled racist colonel in an inner city youth center could muster.

Vice

I called them Dickensian, mocked their poor service, questioned their spurious excuses for tardiness – I gave them the sort of verbal seeing-to that only myself and a disgruntled racist colonel in an inner city youth centre could muster.

Vice

All that changed when some of the most incompetent imperialists in history, in the administration of the second President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, used utterly spurious excuses about non-existent links to 9/11 and weapons of mass destruction to launch Gulf War II.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This morning's doodle gives me the spurious excuse to quote at greater length some of my favourite bits.

The Guardian - Books

"They are using this spurious excuse that they are protecting the children but the kids don't do this on their own they have adult instructors with them anyway so the whole thing is just shocking and we are really not happy about this".

Independent

Not because of the writer, but because the conceit sounds as if it could be woeful: yet another lengthy fossicking around our country by a journalist to find out who we are and how we got here, this time under the spurious excuse of necessity in the year of the Jubilee and Olympics.

The Guardian - Books

The chairman of the Cadets told The Independent they were "furious" and added Britain First were "using this spurious excuse that they are protecting the children but the kids don't do this on their own they have adult instructors with them anyway so the whole thing is just shocking and we are really not happy about this".

Independent

And though this may sound like a spurious excuse all those years ahead on results day - there is some truth in it.

BBC

"I have heard all kinds of excuses, spurious reasons, almost unlimited," he said.

The New York Times

Terri, the lady who creates these monsters, describes herself as a "neophile", as if awarding herself a spurious condition is an excuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spurious excuses" when you want to emphasize that the excuses are not only untrue but also designed to mislead or deceive.

Common error

Avoid using "spurious excuses" when simply referring to minor or insignificant reasons. "Spurious" implies a deliberate attempt to deceive, so ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spurious excuses" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "spurious" intensifies the noun "excuses", indicating that the excuses are not genuine or truthful. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spurious excuses" is used to describe reasons or justifications that are not genuine and often intended to mislead. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not highly frequent, it is particularly appropriate in contexts where deception or insincerity is suspected, as evidenced by its presence in various news articles. Alternatives include "false pretenses" and "bogus justifications". When using "spurious excuses", ensure that the context supports the implication of deliberate deceit rather than simple error or weakness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false pretenses

This alternative emphasizes the deceptive nature of the excuses.

bogus justifications

This phrase highlights that the excuses are not well-founded or legitimate.

unfounded excuses

This suggests the excuses lack a solid basis in truth or fact.

flimsy excuses

This alternative indicates the excuses are weak and easily disproven.

invalid excuses

This directly states that the excuses are not acceptable or legitimate.

fabricated excuses

This highlights that the excuses are invented or made up.

contrived excuses

This implies that the excuses are artificially created or forced.

trumped-up excuses

This suggests the excuses are exaggerated or falsely presented to appear more significant.

hollow excuses

This conveys that the excuses lack sincerity or substance.

specious reasons

This indicates that the reasons given appear correct but are actually false.

FAQs

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

You can use "spurious excuses" to describe reasons or justifications that are not genuine and are often used to mislead. For example, "The politician offered "spurious excuses" for his absence from the crucial vote".

What are some alternatives to "spurious excuses"?

Alternatives include "false pretenses", "bogus justifications", or "unfounded excuses". These options convey a similar meaning of insincerity and lack of validity.

Is it appropriate to use "spurious excuses" in formal writing?

Yes, "spurious excuses" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when analyzing deceptive or misleading behavior. However, consider your audience and ensure the tone aligns with the context.

What's the difference between "spurious excuses" and "weak excuses"?

"Weak excuses" refers to excuses that are easily disproven or unconvincing due to lack of evidence or logic. "Spurious excuses", on the other hand, implies a deliberate intention to deceive, making the excuses not just weak but also dishonest.