a sign of forgiveness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sign of forgiveness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an indication or gesture that suggests someone is willing to forgive another person. Example: "Her smile was a sign of forgiveness after their heated argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Walter has been looking for a sign of forgiveness in the form of a white tulip.

Wikipedia

Is your willingness to show benevolence to these harmful acts a sign of forgiveness?

Huffington Post

Elements from this episode, in particular the idea of the white tulip as a sign of forgiveness, would be reused in later episodes.

Wikipedia

As he lay dying in terrible agony from a poisoned blade, Ali sent a glass of milk to the captured assassin as a sign of forgiveness.

Huffington Post

Walter continues to try to discourage Alistair from making the attempt by explaining his own case of coming to believe in a higher power, hoping for a sign of forgiveness in the form of a white tulip for his actions in stealing Peter from the parallel universe.

Wikipedia

Give them something that serves as a sign of forgiveness and respect for their dignity.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is not yet any sign of forgiveness there.

Huffington Post

The field of white tulips revisits the theme of the episode "White Tulip" from Season 2, where Walter believes that seeing a white tulip is a sign of God's forgiveness of his actions.

Wikipedia

Still, over the years, Sonia and her children have publicly come to terms with the Tamil Elam issue and, Sonia's daughter Priyanka has even visited the culprits in prison, in a sign of conciliation and forgiveness.

Huffington Post

The Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, senior minister at New York's Middle Collegiate Church, said she believes that for people who have been deeply wounded, forgiveness can be a "holy act of power" -- evidence of "strength, not weakness". She called forgiveness a sign of "prophetic grief". "Prophetic grief mourns, sighs deeply, and acknowledges its wounds.

HuffPost

It was the same kind of personal hatred that survivors of Hitler and Stalin in Germany and Russia felt toward their persecutors," he wrote, adding, "I cannot explain this extraordinarily venomous sentiment, this blind rage that focused its attention entirely on one man and displayed not the faintest sign of forgiveness".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sign of forgiveness" when you want to convey that an action, word, or symbol indicates that someone is willing to forgive an offense or reconcile a relationship. For a more nuanced approach, consider the specific context and choose a more descriptive alternative.

Common error

Be cautious about assuming that a simple gesture is "a sign of forgiveness" without evidence of genuine reconciliation. Sometimes, actions may appear forgiving on the surface but lack true understanding or resolution of underlying issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sign of forgiveness" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI identifies it as an expression used to denote an indication, symbol, or action that suggests forgiveness is being offered or considered.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sign of forgiveness" serves as a beacon of hope for mending relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its use across diverse sources. Though not excessively common, this expression effectively communicates the presence of reconciliation and healing. When seeking to convey this sentiment, consider the context to determine if "a sign of forgiveness" or a more specific alternative, like "an indication of pardon", is most appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an indication of pardon

Emphasizes the formal aspect of forgiveness, implying official or explicit absolution.

a gesture of reconciliation

Highlights the act of restoring friendly relations after a disagreement.

a token of absolution

Focuses on the symbolic representation of being cleared from guilt.

a symbol of grace

Implies that forgiveness is an act of kindness or unearned favor.

an olive branch

Refers to an offer of peace or reconciliation.

a peace offering

Highlights the act of offering something to restore peace.

a mark of clemency

Suggests leniency or mercy being shown.

evidence of remission

Indicates that a debt or obligation has been forgiven.

a nod of reconciliation

Implies a small, subtle sign of restored relations.

an expression of pardon

Focuses on the verbal or communicative aspect of forgiveness.

FAQs

How can "a sign of forgiveness" be shown?

Showing "a sign of forgiveness" can involve actions like offering an apology, extending a hand in peace, or making a gesture of goodwill. It signifies a willingness to move past a conflict or offense.

What is the difference between "a sign of forgiveness" and "a gesture of reconciliation"?

"A sign of forgiveness" indicates the willingness to forgive, while "a gesture of reconciliation" is an action taken to restore friendly relations. The former is an indication, and the latter is an active step.

When is it appropriate to look for "a sign of forgiveness"?

It's appropriate to look for "a sign of forgiveness" after an apology has been made, or when there's an effort to repair a damaged relationship. It helps gauge the other person's readiness to move forward.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a sign of forgiveness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an indication of pardon", "a token of absolution", or "a symbol of grace". These alternatives may provide a more specific nuance to the message.