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.
In my opinion, people often make an excuse when they want to avoid responsibility, especially at work or school.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Stop doing excuses.
Say: Stop making excuses.
You MAKE excuses, never 'do' them.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
Natives 'make an excuse'; 'fabricate a justification' is heavy and legalistic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make an excuse
- make
- make excuses
- a feeble excuse
- for