In English grammar, choosing between phrases like to be excused” or “to be excuse” can be confusing, especially for learners who are still getting comfortable with passive voice and verb forms. While they may appear similar at a glance, one is grammatically correct, while the other is not commonly accepted in standard usage. Understanding the correct structure and the reasoning behind it will help improve both your written and spoken English. Let’s explore what makes “to be excused” correct and why “to be excuse” doesn’t follow proper grammatical rules.
Understanding Passive Voice in English
Before we dive into the comparison, it’s essential to understand passive voice because both “to be excused” and “to be excuse” involve the passive construction.
What is Passive Voice?
In English, passive voice is a sentence structure in which the subject receives the action rather than performs it. It is often used when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
Structure of passive voice
- Subject + to be (in appropriate tense) + past participle of the verb
Example
- The student was excused from class.
- The report was written by the assistant.
As you can see, the key part of this structure is using the correct form of “to be” and following it with the past participle (not the base form) of the verb.
To Be Excused The Correct Usage
Grammatical Breakdown
“To be excused” follows the passive voice construction. The verb “excuse” is a regular verb, and its past participle form is “excused.”
Examples of correct usage
- He asked to be excused from the meeting.
- Students may request to be excused from physical education.
- I’d like to be excused for being late.
Meaning and Context
When someone uses “to be excused,” they are asking to be allowed to leave or be forgiven for something. This phrase is common in formal or polite contexts where permission or forgiveness is sought.
Typical contexts include
- Formal gatherings (e.g.,May I be excused?)
- Academic or workplace settings (e.g.,She was excused from jury duty.)
- Social apologies or justifications (e.g.,I should be excused for my absence.)
To Be Excuse Why It Is Incorrect
Grammar Error
“To be excuse” is grammatically incorrect because it uses the base form of the verb “excuse” instead of the past participle. In passive constructions, the verb must be in its past participle form. “Excuse” (base form) should become “excused” in passive voice.
Incorrect examples
- He asked to be excuse from class. â
- You need to be excuse for that behavior. â
Corrected versions
- He asked to be excused from class. â
- You need to be excused for that behavior. â
Why the Mistake Happens
Non-native speakers or learners often make this error when they are unsure of verb conjugations or overlook the passive voice structure. Since “excuse” and “excused” look similar, it can be easy to confuse them, especially in spoken English.
Using “Excused” in Different Tenses
The verb “excuse” can be used in active and passive voices across various tenses. Here’s how “to be excused” appears in different tenses
- Present SimpleHe is excused from homework today.
- Past SimpleShe was excused early yesterday.
- Future SimpleYou will be excused if you provide a valid reason.
- Present PerfectThey have been excused due to illness.
- Past PerfectHe had been excused before the test began.
Active vs Passive Voice Comparison
Understanding the difference between active and passive uses of “excuse” helps reinforce correct usage.
- ActiveThe teacher excused the student from class.
- PassiveThe student was excused from class by the teacher.
In both cases, the meaning is the same, but the focus changes from the doer of the action (teacher) to the receiver (student).
Common Phrases with To Be Excused
The phrase “to be excused” is often part of polite expressions or formal requests. Below are some standard ways it appears in everyday English.
- May I be excused?– Often used at the dinner table or in meetings.
- To be excused on medical grounds– Common in workplaces or schools.
- To be excused from duty– Used in military or official contexts.
- You are excused– A formal way of saying someone can leave or is forgiven.
Tips for Using Passive Voice Correctly
- Always use the correct form of the auxiliary verb “to be.”
- Follow “to be” with the past participle of the main verb.
- Use passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or implied.
- Practice transforming active sentences into passive ones to build understanding.
Summary of Key Differences
| Phrase | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| To be excused | Correct | Uses passive voice with correct past participle |
| To be excuse | Incorrect | Uses base form of verb, not suitable for passive construction |
The proper phrase to use is always “to be excused,” never “to be excuse.” The rule here lies in passive voice construction, where the past participle of the verb must follow the correct form of “to be.” Whether you’re excusing yourself from a room, an assignment, or a responsibility, always remember the grammatical structure to ensure your English remains clear, polite, and professional. By practicing proper verb forms and understanding their role in a sentence, you’ll communicate more accurately and confidently in any situation.