act of oblivion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of oblivion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a deliberate attempt to forget or ignore a particular event or mistake. For example: "He tried to make an act of oblivion and move on from the embarrassing incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Historical texts

Legal documents

Political discourse

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As lord chancellor, Hyde pressed for a generous Act of Oblivion, which spared most republicans from royalist vengeance, and for speedy provision of royal revenue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Amnesty, in criminal law, sovereign act of oblivion or forgetfulness (from Greek amnēsia) for past acts, granted by a government to persons who have been guilty of crimes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Soon after his restoration in 1660, Charles proclaimed a so-called "Act of Oblivion", which assured his subjects that all past affiliations to Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth would be forgotten.

The Guardian - Books

"If Europe is to be saved from infinite misery and, indeed, from final doom, there must be this act of faith in the European family and this act of oblivion against all the crimes and follies of the past, and the free peoples of Europe must rise to the height of these resolves of the soul and of the instinct of the spirit of man," Churchill said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

While his colleagues made works that could sell, however outrageous, Landy deliberately performed acts of oblivion.

Independent

"It is not, I think, fanciful to say that such meetings are both Acts of Oblivion and Acts of Remembrance".

The Guardian - Books

In addition, Parliament passed a general Act of Indemnity and Oblivion to cover both sides during the war, excepting from it only the surviving regicides.

Yale University

So the Varispeed production, presented as part of the Performa 11 festival, was less an act of rescuing a work from oblivion than one of repurposing its materials to unleash latent potential, while remaining faithful to its textural integrity and structural rigor.

The New York Times - Arts

Although Charles promised in the 1660 Declaration of Breda that all were pardoned except by act of Parliament, the Indemnity and Oblivion Act of 1660 singled out all of the regicides for punishment.

Wikipedia

Late in the evening of Tuesday 16th, another huge US name was teetering on the brink of oblivion - and this time, the US government acted.

The Guardian - Business

As Hannah Arendt observed of acts of courage that may seem futile in the light of early death: "The holes of oblivion do not exist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events or legal matters, use the phrase "act of oblivion" to denote a formal attempt to erase or pardon past offenses. This phrase carries a specific historical and legal weight.

Common error

Avoid using "act of oblivion" in contexts where simple forgetting or overlooking is meant. This phrase implies a deliberate and often legally formalized decision to pardon or ignore past actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of oblivion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a specific legal or political measure designed to pardon past offenses. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of oblivion" is a noun phrase that refers to a deliberate effort to forget or legally pardon past offenses, often with the goal of reconciliation after conflict. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare and primarily found in historical, legal, and political contexts. Related phrases include "amnesty decree", "general pardon", and "act of clemency". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the context of formal forgiveness or legal pardoning, rather than simple forgetting. Its formal register makes it suitable for academic, news, and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general pardon

Emphasizes the scope of the forgiveness extended.

amnesty decree

Focuses on the official and legal nature of forgiveness.

act of clemency

Highlights the merciful aspect of the act.

granting immunity

Highlights the legal protection offered.

forgetting the past

A more general term for ignoring past transgressions.

waiving prosecution

Specifically refers to not pursuing legal charges.

policy of forgiveness

Describes a systemic approach to overlooking offenses.

overlooking transgressions

Focuses on ignoring past wrongdoings.

putting bygones be bygones

An idiomatic expression for forgetting past issues.

healing old wounds

Suggests reconciliation and moving forward from past conflicts.

FAQs

What is the historical significance of an "act of oblivion"?

Historically, an "act of oblivion" refers to a legal measure, such as the English Act of Indemnity and Oblivion of 1660, intended to pardon past offenses, usually after a period of conflict or political upheaval, to promote reconciliation and stability.

How does an "act of oblivion" differ from a general amnesty?

While both involve pardoning past offenses, an "act of oblivion" often has a broader scope, aiming to erase the memory of past events and promote social unity, whereas a general amnesty may focus more narrowly on specific crimes or individuals.

Can "act of oblivion" be used in modern contexts?

Yes, though primarily historical, "act of oblivion" can be used metaphorically to describe any deliberate attempt to forget or ignore past conflicts or mistakes in order to move forward, though it should be used with awareness of its historical connotations.

What are some alternative phrases to "act of oblivion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "amnesty decree", "general pardon", or "act of clemency", to convey the meaning of formally forgiving or overlooking past actions.