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Prepositions with nouns

How to use “excuse” with prepositions

The noun excuse commonly appears with for to give a reason or justification. The phrase of excuse is not a standard combination in modern English.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with “excuse”?

Use excuse for something to state the reason or justification for an action. Of excuse is generally not idiomatic as a fixed noun phrase.

She had no excuse for missing the meeting.
There is no excuse for rude behaviour.
He used traffic as an excuse for arriving late.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
excuse for + noun/gerund

Giving a reason or justification

Use for after excuse to explain what is being justified.

They offered an excuse for the delay.
No one accepted her excuse for leaving early.
2
excuse to + verb

Describing a reason to do something

Use excuse to followed by a verb to describe a motivation or opportunity.

He needed an excuse to call her.
She found an excuse to avoid the event.
3
without excuse

Showing lack of justification

Without excuse means with no acceptable reason.

The absence was without excuse.
He acted without excuse or apology.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
excuse for
There is no excuse for cheating.
Standard way to express justification or reason.
of excuse
The phrase of excuse is not normally used as a fixed expression.
Nonstandard in most contexts with the noun excuse.
excuse to
She used the rain as an excuse to stay home.
Reason to perform an action.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of after excuse

English normally uses for, not of, after the noun excuse when giving a reason.

✕ an excuse of being tired ✓ an excuse for being tired

Confusing excuse for and excuse to

Use excuse for + noun/gerund and excuse to + verb.

✕ an excuse for leave early ✓ an excuse to leave early

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They had no excuse ___ the mistake.
2. She needed an excuse ___ avoid the party.
3. Choose the natural sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “of excuse” ever correct?

It is not a standard fixed combination in current English. Use excuse for in most situations.

Can I say “an excuse to leave”?

Yes. Excuse to + verb describes a reason to do something.

What is the difference between “excuse for” and “because of”?

Excuse for introduces a justification, while because of simply gives a cause.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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