What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exempt
Example
Children under the age of 18 are exempt from paying taxes. [exempt: adjective]
Example
The company is exempt from following certain environmental regulations due to its small size. [exempt: verb]
Example
The new law exempts certain types of businesses from having to pay a licensing fee. [exempts: present tense]
excused
Example
I was excused from attending the meeting due to a family emergency. [excused: past tense]
Example
The teacher excused the student's absence because of illness. [excused: verb]
Example
The company was excused from paying damages due to unforeseen circumstances. [excused: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excused is more commonly used than exempt in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Excused is versatile and covers a wide range of situations, while exempt is less common and often used in legal or official contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between exempt and excused?
While exempt is typically associated with a formal and legal tone, excused can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.