I was forgiven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was forgiven" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has pardoned or excused your actions or mistakes in the past. Example: "After our long conversation, I felt relieved knowing that I was forgiven for my earlier mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Turns out i was forgiven anyway and had no need to grovel - she'd lost her phone hence the silent treatment!" "Can you tell Freedom, Eleanor, Kevin, Simon and Tom that their advice was greatly appreciated".

The Guardian - Sport

Thankfully, I was forgiven because she recognized my opinion had come from love.

The New York Times

I was forgiven, but it put me off cooking for years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was forgiven and told I had to earn trust back with him and his people," he said.

BBC

I was forgiven.

Huffington Post

I think I was forgiven my error.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Could I be forgiven so easily?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Can I be forgiven?" "Yes," Father James said.

The New Yorker

And may I be forgiven for liking some of my work better than others do.

University of California, Berkeley

May I be forgiven for returning, so soon after yesterday's report on the ongoing run of "Weekend" at Film Forum, to the subject of Jean-Luc Godard?

The New Yorker

I am forgiven.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was forgiven" when you want to express relief or gratitude for being pardoned after an error. Emphasize the positive outcome of a situation where you made a mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "I was forgiven" when you actually mean "I forgave someone". The passive construction indicates you were the recipient of forgiveness, not the giver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was forgiven" functions as a declarative statement expressing that the speaker received forgiveness from someone else. It indicates a state of being pardoned for a past action. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was forgiven" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express being pardoned for a mistake or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It conveys relief or gratitude for receiving forgiveness and is appropriate in neutral and informal registers. While frequently found in News & Media, it appears in Academia, Formal & Business contexts as well. When using the phrase, ensure you intend to express being the recipient of forgiveness, not the giver. Consider alternatives like "I received forgiveness" or "I was pardoned" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received forgiveness

Emphasizes the act of receiving forgiveness rather than the state of being forgiven.

I obtained absolution

Suggests a more formal or religious context of forgiveness.

I was pardoned

Implies a formal or legal context of forgiveness.

They forgave me

Shifts the focus to the forgiver rather than the forgiven.

I was shown mercy

Highlights the compassion involved in the act of forgiving.

My mistake was excused

Focuses on the excusing of the mistake, rather than the person.

I earned redemption

Implies a process of earning forgiveness through changed behavior.

I was absolved of blame

Specifies the removal of blame as the consequence of forgiveness.

I was exonerated

Suggests complete clearance from guilt or wrongdoing.

I was let off the hook

Informal way to express being freed from consequences.

FAQs

What does "I was forgiven" mean?

The phrase "I was forgiven" means that someone has pardoned you for a mistake, wrongdoing, or offense that you committed. It indicates that you were previously at fault but are now absolved.

What can I say instead of "I was forgiven"?

You can use alternatives like "I received forgiveness", "I was pardoned", or "they forgave me" depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am forgiven"?

Yes, "I am forgiven" is grammatically correct. It expresses a present state of being forgiven, while "I was forgiven" refers to a past event.

What's the difference between "I was forgiven" and "I forgave someone"?

The phrase "I was forgiven" means that you were the recipient of forgiveness. In contrast, "I forgave someone" means that you were the one who granted forgiveness to another person. The phrases have opposite meanings.