Is a "reason" an "excuse"?

Question

If you extend the word "excuse" to "excused", meaing to be excused or let off, it would seem that a "reason" is simply why you did something, wheras an "excuse" is why it's OK that you did it, or why you should not be punished for it.

Can someone tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree here? I am a teacher (not English) and it got me thinking when a student is late for class and they tell me they "have an excuse", but it simply turns out to be the reason that they are late, rather than an accepable explanation.

I guess I'm thinking of the differences of: Why something happened - versus - why its OK or allowable that it happened.

I would appreciate some illumination on the topic. Maybe there arn't any differences after all.

-- Rocky Road - in Oz

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]If you extend the word "excuse" to "excused", meaing to be excused or let off, it would seem that a ... you should not be punished for it. Can someone tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree here? (...)[/nq]
No, that pretty much sums it up.
[nq:1]I am a teacher (not English) and it got me thinking when a student is late for class and they tell me they "have an excuse", but it simply turns out to be the reason that they are late, rather than an accepable explanation. (...)[/nq]
The traditional teacher's response is "that's not an excuse". I suspect it's rare that the student is confusing a reason with an excuse. More often, the student feels the reason also contains the justification for being excused.

A common line is "I was late because I missed the bus." Is it an excuse, because the student could not possibly arrive on time without the aid of the bus, and is thus not responsible for his tardiness? Or is it merely a reason, because any number of behaviours could have delivered the student to the bus stop on time?

It's a matter of whose view on justification will prevail. Ultimately, excusability is not in the eye of the beholden. Bang that gavel, teacher.

-- Willondon AUE FAQ http://www.alt-usage-english.org/intro_a.shtml

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If you extend the word "excuse" to "excused", meaing to be excused or let off, it would seem that a ... or allowable that it happened. I would appreciate some illumination on the topic. Maybe there arn't any differences after all.[/nq]
Yes, you are barking up the wrong tree. I agree with your analysis of the difference between "reason" and "excuse", but your implication that you can communicate this difference to a student is barking into the wind.

I had a better reply to your question, but the dog ate it.

-- Tony Cooper aka: (Email Removed) Provider of Jots, Tittles, and Oy!s

Usenet · Answer

, in part:
[nq:1]it would seem that a "reason" is simply why you did something, wheras an "excuse" is why it's OK that you did it, or why you should not be punished[/nq]
Agreed.

By adults, too, although (or because) the words "reason" and "excuse" aren't often used in the conversation, some miscommunication occurs because of blurring the distinction between the two concepts.

Michael Hamm BA scl Math, PBK, NYU (Email Removed) Note new URL: http://www.math.wustl.edu/~msh210/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If you extend the word "excuse" to "excused", meaing to be excused or let off, it would seem that a ... an excuse", but it simply turns out to be the reason that they are late, rather than an accepable explanation.[/nq]
Uh-huh.

Misuse of the word "excuse" has led to it being simultaneously a stronger and a weaker word than "reason". So much so, that we often qualify it: "good excuse", "valid excuse", and if I ask "What's your excuse?" I'm implying that it doesn't matter what you tell me, it'll be unacceptable. So, unfortunately, a useful word has to be ditched in favour of the word "reason", a word which is as yet untainted by centuries of evasion.

Adrian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Misuse of the word "excuse" has led to it being simultaneously a stronger and a weaker word than "reason". So ... to be ditched in favour of the word "reason", a word which is as yet untainted by centuries of evasion.[/nq]
Is this an appropriate place to mention the occasional misuse of "alibi" to mean any old excuse rather than "I couldn't have done it because I wasn't there"?
-- Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If you extend the word "excuse" to "excused", meaing to be excused or let off, it would seem that a ... an excuse", but it simply turns out to be the reason that they are late, rather than an accepable explanation.[/nq]
You are using three different words here: excuse, reason, and explanation. The reason is why your student is actually late. The student's explanation is the reason for their tardiness as they tell it; if you judge their explanation valid, it's an "acceptable explanation" (and it's a "good reason" if the student was telling the truth). If the student expects leniency, their explanation is an excuse. If you excuse the student's tardiness, the student must be a talented liar.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Is this an appropriate place to mention the occasional misuse of "alibi" to mean any old excuse rather than "I couldn't have done it because I wasn't there"?[/nq]
Sure. Note, too, that "alibi" is used in the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" to mean "lie".
Michael Hamm
BA scl Math, PBK, NYU
http://www.math.wustl.edu/~msh210/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Is this an appropriate place to mention the occasional misuse ... than "I couldn't have done it because I wasn't there"?[/nq]
[nq:1]Sure. Note, too, that "alibi" is used in the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" to mean "lie".[/nq]
It's also used in the song "Long black veil", sung by numerous folk singers. Should have been popular enough for people to remember what it means:

The judge said, "Son, where is your alibi
If you were some place else, you don't have to die." I spoke not a word, though it meant my life
For I was in the arms of my best friend's wife.

Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Is this an appropriate place to mention the occasional misuse ... than "I couldn't have done it because I wasn't there"?[/nq]
[nq:1]Sure. Note, too, that "alibi" is used in the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" to mean "lie".[/nq]
That was years ago. The modern word for lying is "refute".

Peter Moylan (Email Removed) http://eepjm.newcastle.edu.au (OS/2 and eCS information and software)

Is a "reason" an "excuse"?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions