Grammar fix
make an excuse
give a reason (often not true) to avoid something
To say something, often not completely true, to explain why you cannot do something or why something happened.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- He made an excuse about being sick so he could leave work early.daily life
- In my opinion, people often make an excuse when they want to avoid responsibility, especially at work or school.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: make an excuse (for something/for doing something)
WrongStop doing excuses.
RightStop making excuses.
You MAKE excuses, never 'do' them.
Patternmake an excuse (for something/for doing something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
Natives 'make an excuse'; 'fabricate a justification' is heavy and legalistic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make an excusemakemake excusesa feeble excusefor
Don't confuse it
Different from 'give a reason,' which can be honest; 'make an excuse' often suggests the reason may not be true.