the excuse for

USAGE SUMMARY

"the excuse for" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce an explanation for a particular situation or action. For example, "The excuse for why the meeting was rescheduled is that the conference room was double-booked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rita Ora just happens to be the excuse for it.

Independent

But the excuse for this show is more mundane.

The New York Times - Arts

At least that's the excuse for serving up the dish.

The New York Times

And of course I can't pass up the excuse for another video:.

The New York Times

"An individual's mental health should never be the excuse for insults, jibes or political point-scoring.

Independent

Anyway, Jacqueline used the book as the excuse for a breach with us.

The Guardian - Arts

"Natural growth" has been the excuse for almost doubling the settler population.

The New Yorker

"Unfortunately 2D became the excuse for poor storytelling," said Lasseter on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Film

What's the excuse for ignoring Torre, who single-handedly resuscitated the Yankees?

The New York Times - Sports

The actual show has become the excuse for the party, rather than the party itself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The excuse for going was to see a total eclipse of the sun.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the excuse for", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the 'excuse' is a genuine reason or a pretext. Clarity will prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "the excuse for" when a strong, valid reason exists. "Justification" implies a more legitimate and morally sound basis, whereas "excuse" can suggest a weaker or less acceptable reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the excuse for" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing a noun or noun phrase that serves as the purported reason or justification for an action, event, or situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it is perfectly usable in written English to introduce an explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the excuse for" is a common phrase used to introduce a reason or justification, often implying that the reason might be weak or not entirely truthful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, writers should be aware of its connotations and choose alternative phrases like ""the justification for"" or "the reason for" when a stronger, more valid reason needs to be expressed. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the justification for

Replaces "excuse" with "justification", implying a more legitimate or acceptable reason.

the reason for

A more direct and common way to express the cause or explanation.

the rationale behind

Emphasizes the logical basis or reasoning supporting an action or decision.

the grounds for

Implies a foundation or basis upon which something is based.

the basis for

Similar to "grounds for", indicating the underlying support or foundation.

the motivation for

Focuses on the driving force or incentive behind an action.

the pretext for

Suggests the reason given is not the real reason, but a cover for something else.

the cause of

Identifies the direct agent or reason that produces a particular result.

the purpose of

Highlights the intended aim or goal behind something.

the alibi for

Specifically refers to a fabricated or defensive explanation to avoid blame.

FAQs

How can I use "the excuse for" in a sentence?

"The excuse for" is used to introduce a reason or justification for something. For example: "The bad weather was "the excuse for" cancelling the event."

What's the difference between "the excuse for" and "the reason for"?

While both phrases indicate cause, "the excuse for" often implies a weaker or less convincing justification, while "the reason for" is a more neutral and direct expression of cause. Consider using "the justification for" to provide stronger support.

Is it appropriate to use "the excuse for" in formal writing?

It can be used in formal writing, but be mindful of the connotation. If the intention is to present a strong, valid reason, consider using phrases like "the rationale behind" or "the grounds for" for a more authoritative tone.

What are some alternatives to "the excuse for" that imply a hidden motive?

If you want to suggest that the stated reason isn't the true one, you could use "the pretext for" or "the alibi for".