was excused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was excused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was granted permission to be absent from a duty or obligation, such as school or work. Example: "She was excused from class due to her illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He, too, was excused.

The New York Times

She was excused.

The New Yorker

The juror was excused.

The New York Times

He was excused.

The New York Times

I was excused because of my backache.

The New York Times

Scipione was excused later on Wednesday afternoon.

The Guardian

With that, Anil Kumar was excused by Judge Holwell.

The New Yorker

Kahlil alone was excused from putting food on the table.

The New Yorker

Then one black juror was excused for health reasons.

The New York Times

Jackson, a multimillionaire megastar, was excused as an eccentric.

The New York Times

Atherton was excused the next match at Paarl.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation when choosing "was excused". More formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "was granted leave".

Common error

Avoid using "was excused" without specifying the reason, as this can lead to ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He was excused", specify "He was excused from the meeting due to illness."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was excused" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being excused. It typically follows a form of the verb "to be" and is used to show that someone or something was released from a duty, obligation, or presence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was excused" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates permission to be absent from a duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "was excused", ensure clarity by specifying the reason for the absence. While alternatives exist, "was excused" remains a straightforward and widely accepted way to convey that someone has been granted a release from a responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exempted

Focuses on being freed from a requirement or obligation.

was granted leave

Emphasizes the formal permission to be absent.

was released from duty

Specifically refers to being freed from a work-related obligation.

received permission to leave

Highlights the act of getting approval to depart.

had absence approved

Stresses that a period of absence was officially sanctioned.

was given a pass

Implies a more informal or lenient allowance.

was cleared to depart

Highlights the authorization to leave a specific location or situation.

was let off

Indicates being forgiven or not punished for something.

was absolved

Suggests a formal or moral release from responsibility.

was vindicated

Emphasizes being cleared of blame or suspicion, justifying past actions.

FAQs

How can I use "was excused" in a sentence?

You can use "was excused" to indicate that someone was given permission to be absent from a duty or obligation. For example, "She "was excused" from class due to her illness".

What are some alternatives to saying "was excused"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was exempted", "was granted leave", or "received permission to leave".

Is "was excused" formal or informal?

"Was excused" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal situations, phrases like "was granted leave" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean when someone "was excused"?

When someone "was excused", it means they were given permission not to attend or participate in something, often due to a valid reason like illness or prior commitment. It implies an official or accepted release from an obligation.