atone for

USAGE SUMMARY

"atone for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to taking action in order to make up for something bad or wrong, or to express sincere regret for an action. For example, "I had treated him badly in the past, so I tried to atone for my mistakes by giving him a gift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some want to atone for past mistakes.

The Economist

Outside forces have much to atone for.

The Guardian - Opinion

I need to atone for my sins".

The Guardian - Books

Yes, we have much atone for.

The Guardian

IN A SENSE, Ms. Lagarde has something to atone for.

The New York Times

And Mr. Sheen knows he has plenty to atone for.

The New York Times - Arts

Now you just have to atone for it.

The New York Times - Food

But he had rather more to atone for.

The New Yorker

I'm here to atone, for him and other youth.

The Washington Post

Christians atone for their sins without the shedding of blood.

The Guardian - Opinion

This fall, Gap will try to atone for such missteps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the action taken to "atone for" something is proportionate to the offense. A small apology for a major transgression may seem insincere.

Common error

Don't use "atone for" lightly. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can dilute its meaning and impact. Reserve it for situations where genuine remorse and significant corrective action are warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "atone for" primarily functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating its role in expressing the action of making amends or compensating for a wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "atone for" is a verb phrase used to express the act of making amends or compensating for a wrong. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic settings, and general writing, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When using "atone for", ensure that the corrective action is proportionate to the offense, and avoid overusing the phrase for minor inconveniences. Alternatives such as "make amends for" or "compensate for" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make amends for

This alternative suggests a direct effort to repair damage or wrongdoing.

make up for

This is a common and versatile phrase meaning to compensate for a deficiency or error.

compensate for

This implies providing something to balance out a loss or negative effect.

rectify

This suggests correcting something that is wrong or defective.

redress

This implies setting right what is wrong or unfair.

expiate

This term is more formal and suggests purification or cleansing from guilt.

offset

This implies counterbalancing a negative effect with a positive one.

do penance for

This phrase implies performing an act of self-punishment to show remorse.

take responsibility for

This focuses on acknowledging one's role in a mistake and accepting the consequences.

resolve

This emphasizes solving a problem or dispute.

FAQs

How can I use "atone for" in a sentence?

You can use "atone for" to describe actions taken to correct a wrong. For example, "He sought to "make amends" and "atone for" his mistakes through community service".

What is a more formal way to say "atone for"?

A more formal way to say "atone for" is to use the word "expiate". It suggests a purification or cleansing from guilt.

What is the difference between "atone for" and "apologize for"?

"Apologize for" expresses regret, while "atone for" implies taking action to correct the wrong. You might "apologize for" being late, but you would "atone for" damaging someone's property by paying for the repairs.

Can "atone for" be used in a religious context?

Yes, "atone for" is often used in religious contexts to describe the act of seeking forgiveness for sins, as demonstrated by Ludwig in the example "Christians "atone for" their sins without the shedding of blood".