weak excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"weak excuse" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a noun phrase, and it can be used to describe a feeble, unconvincing explanation or justification. For example, "My boss didn't accept my weak excuse for coming in late".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

That's a weak excuse, a lame excuse".

The New York Times

But Mr Liddell-Grainger says: "That's a pretty weak excuse.

Independent

This weak excuse for journalism was meme manna from heaven.

The Guardian

She thought that was a pretty weak excuse.

The New Yorker

Yes, it's a pretty weak excuse, but it's not the worst we've ever heard.

Independent

Later, he added that referring to distractions was to make a weak excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

However, do not make weak excuses for having a poor GMAT or GRE.

The Economist

"It's just weak excuses that the media and some ex-players and managers have come out with.

Independent

Energy security, the protection of American economic "interests" and strategic military bases, and the "threat" of communism and even socialism historically provided weak excuses for this hypocracy.

University of California, Berkeley

I thought I would follow up on Brad DeLong's musings on inflationistas and their weak excuses for getting it all wrong.

The New York Times

But a lot more could be accomplished if judges required all participants in proceedings to show up on time — something that rarely happens now — and stopped accepting prosecutors' and defense lawyers' weak excuses for delays.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing an excuse, strengthen your argument by providing specific reasons why it is inadequate or does not hold up under scrutiny.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as a "weak excuse" without explaining why. Support your judgment with evidence or reasoning to make your critique more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak excuse" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or predicate nominative. It describes a justification or explanation that lacks credibility or strength. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak excuse" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an unconvincing or inadequate justification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, typically employed to express disapproval or disbelief. While frequently found in news and media contexts, where its neutrality allows for broad application, it is crucial to provide context when using this phrase to ensure your critique is well-supported. Alternatives like "feeble justification" or "lame rationalization" can offer nuanced ways to convey the inadequacy of an excuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor explanation

Directly points out the low quality and inadequacy of the explanation.

feeble justification

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the justification provided.

lame rationalization

Highlights the unreasonableness and implausibility of the explanation.

flimsy pretext

Underlines the fragility and lack of substance in the excuse.

unconvincing alibi

Focuses on the lack of credibility in the provided defense.

implausible story

Highlights the incredibility and unlikeliness of the narrative.

hollow claim

Highlights the emptiness and lack of genuine support for the assertion.

pathetic attempt

Stresses the inadequacy and pitiable nature of the effort to justify something.

shallow reasoning

Focuses on the lack of depth and thoroughness in the provided reasoning.

transparent lie

Indicates that the excuse is easily seen through as a falsehood.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak excuse" to describe an explanation or justification that is unconvincing or inadequate. For example, "His explanation for being late was a "weak excuse", as he lives only five minutes away".

What can I say instead of "weak excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "feeble justification", "poor explanation", or "lame rationalization" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very weak excuse"?

While not strictly redundant, saying "very weak excuse" can add emphasis. However, consider using a more descriptive term like "flimsy pretext" or "transparent lie" for greater impact.

What's the difference between "weak excuse" and "poor excuse"?

Both "weak excuse" and "poor excuse" suggest inadequacy, but "weak excuse" emphasizes a lack of strength or believability, while "poor excuse" focuses on the low quality or unacceptability of the justification.