Meaning & use
unexcused
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Meaning
adjectivebefore a noun
Not having a valid reason or permission, especially for being absent.
Grammar: Used before a noun: an unexcused absence. It is not usually used after a verb like 'be unexcused'.
Patterns
- unexcused absence
- unexcused tardiness
- unexcused from something
Students with more than three unexcused absences may fail the course.
The employee received a warning for unexcused lateness.
Any unexcused absence must be reported to the supervisor.
Common combinations
- unexcused absence
- The school sent a letter about his unexcused absence.
- unexcused tardiness
- Repeated unexcused tardiness can lead to disciplinary action.
- unexcused from work
- She was unexcused from work and lost a day's pay.
- mark as unexcused
- The teacher marked the absence as unexcused.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unauthorized
- Similar but focuses on lack of permission rather than lack of a valid reason.
- unjustified
- Means not having a good reason; often used for actions, not absences.
Opposites
Word family
- excuse verb
- To forgive or allow something.
- excusable adjective
- Able to be forgiven or allowed.
- inexcusable adjective
- Too bad to be forgiven or allowed.
Commonly confused: unexcused or unexcused?
unexcused vs unexcused
Not to be confused with 'unexcused' meaning 'not forgiven'; it specifically refers to absence without a valid reason.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'unexcused' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Unexcused is used before nouns like 'absence' to mean no valid reason was given. Option An is wrong because 'unexcused' is not used after 'be' in this way. Option C is nonsensical because gifts are not excused. Option D contradicts the meaning: if they were forgiven, they were excused.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unexcused”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.