a pardonable lapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pardonable lapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error that is considered forgivable or understandable in a given context. Example: "Although he missed the deadline, it was a pardonable lapse given the circumstances he was facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But these are pardonable lapses in a considerable accomplishment.

The New York Times

Roberta thinks this a pardonable falsehood.

The New York Times

No doubt, Muslims may be killed occasionally, but if that happens it's a pardonable mistake.

The New Yorker

The next kick, a 57-yard attempt on the final play of the half that would have matched his career long, was short — certainly a pardonable offense.

The New York Times - Sports

It was only an instinctive caution, and perhaps a pardonable desire to play the coquette with Fielding, which prevented him from doing so.

The Guardian - Books

One of her cousins became "the most reactionary priest in the whole of Colombia," the protégé of a notorious monsignor who preached that killing Liberals was "a pardonable sin".

The New York Times - Books

A lawyer persuades Sanson that the only means of freeing her husband is for her to confess to adultery, thus turning the killing into a pardonable crime of passion.

The New York Times

It would be a pardonable exaggeration to say that Hill created the way in which the people of late 20th-century Britain - and the left in particular - looked at the history of 17th-century England.

The Guardian

By the time James Levine became the company's music director in 1976, it was a pardonable assumption that singers at the Met had forever suffered indifferent, dull or inept support.

The New York Times - Arts

Sex for the sake of procreation is not sinful, and sex within marriage solely to satisfy lust is a pardonable (venial) sin.

SEP

But if impetuosity is a fault it is a more pardonable one than a self-regarding prudence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pardonable lapse" when you want to convey that a mistake or error is understandable and forgivable given the circumstances. It softens criticism by acknowledging the human element of error.

Common error

Avoid using "a pardonable lapse" to excuse significant ethical breaches or severe professional misconduct. This phrase is more suitable for minor, easily forgiven errors, not actions with serious consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pardonable lapse" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. As seen in Ludwig, it suggests that an error or mistake is minor and forgivable. The phrase serves to mitigate the severity of the error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pardonable lapse" is a phrase used to describe a minor mistake or error that is understandable and forgivable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and books, with a generally neutral register. The phrase functions to mitigate the severity of an error and express understanding. Consider alternatives like "an excusable oversight" or "a forgivable mistake" for nuanced variations. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the context and avoids excusing serious misconduct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pardonable offense

Focuses on the excusability of the action given the context

an excusable oversight

Emphasizes the unintentional nature and ease with which the lapse could have occurred.

a forgivable mistake

Highlights the aspect of forgiveness and the minor impact of the mistake.

an understandable slip

Highlights how easily one can understand how one might commit that error.

an understandable error

Focuses on the comprehensibility and reason behind the error.

a minor transgression

Suggests a slight deviation from what is acceptable or expected.

a venial sin

Implies a forgivable offense, often used in a moral or ethical context.

a slight indiscretion

Indicates a minor breach of etiquette or moral standards.

a trivial fault

Stresses the insignificance and lack of serious consequences of the fault.

a negligible slip-up

Highlights the minimal impact and easy rectification of the slip-up.

FAQs

What does "a pardonable lapse" mean?

The phrase "a pardonable lapse" refers to a minor mistake or error that is considered forgivable or understandable, often due to mitigating circumstances.

How can I use "a pardonable lapse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a minor mistake that shouldn't be held against someone too harshly. For instance, "Although he missed the deadline, it was "a pardonable lapse" given the circumstances he was facing."

Which is correct, "a pardonable lapse" or "an pardonable lapse"?

"A pardonable lapse" is correct. "Pardonable" starts with a consonant sound, so the article "a" is appropriate, rather than "an."

What are some alternatives to "a pardonable lapse"?

You can use alternatives such as "an excusable oversight", "a forgivable mistake", or "an understandable error" depending on the context.