could be forgiven thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be forgiven thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to express the idea that it would be understandable if someone believed or thought a certain thing, even if it was not true or accurate. For example, "With the amount of pressure he was under, one could be forgiven thinking he wouldn't be able to perform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jenni, in Newtownards, via text: If you were new to football you could be forgiven thinking that MK Dons are the Premier League side and Manchester United the 'lowly' League One outfit.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You could be forgiven for thinking so.

The New York Times

You could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

The Guardian - Arts

Hargreaves could be forgiven for thinking he was in dreamland.

Independent

You could be forgiven for thinking it's been longer.

The New York Times

But casual readers could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

The New York Times

You could be forgiven for thinking the band got smaller.

The Guardian

But paranoid flyers could be forgiven for thinking that they might be next.

The Economist

SOME of the party faithful could be forgiven for thinking they were at the wrong gathering.

The Economist

ONE could be forgiven for thinking that the fuss about the human genome was over.

The Economist

One could be forgiven for thinking the film is a Hollywood courtroom drama.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be forgiven thinking" to gently suggest that a particular belief, while perhaps incorrect, is understandable given the circumstances. This softens potential disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "could be forgiven thinking" too frequently, as it relies on passive voice. Active constructions often make your writing more direct and impactful. Consider alternatives like "one might understandably think" to vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be forgiven thinking" serves as a hedge, softening the assertion that someone is incorrect. Based on Ludwig's analysis, it suggests an understandable, though possibly flawed, perspective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be forgiven thinking" is a phrase used to express that a certain belief or assumption is understandable, even if incorrect. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears primarily in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral tone. Though grammatically correct, it's advisable to use active voice constructions for more impactful writing and vary sentence structure. While not as common as other similar phrases, it effectively softens assertions and acknowledges the reasonableness of a perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understandably believe

Replaces "could be forgiven thinking" with a more direct statement of understandable belief, simplifying the structure.

excusably assume

Substitutes "forgiven thinking" with "assume", implying a more direct action of assuming something with justification.

reasonably conclude

Changes "thinking" to "conclude", suggesting a more deliberate process of reaching a belief, while "reasonably" replaces "forgiven".

pardonably consider

Replaces "thinking" with "consider", implying a more thoughtful evaluation, and "forgiven" with "pardonably".

justifiably think

Emphasizes the justification for the thought, replacing "could be forgiven" with "justifiably".

be excused for believing

Rephrases the entire structure to focus on excusing the act of believing, offering a more lenient tone.

be justified in assuming

Highlights the justification for assuming something, shifting the focus to the validity of the assumption.

be reasonable in supposing

Focuses on the reasonableness of the supposition, indicating that the belief is logical under the circumstances.

be understandable in inferring

Emphasizes that the inference made is easily understood, given the available information.

be readily excused for imagining

Suggests that imagining something is easily excused, perhaps because it's a natural or common reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "could be forgiven thinking" in a sentence?

Use "could be forgiven thinking" to indicate that someone might reasonably come to a particular conclusion, even if it's not entirely accurate. For example, "Given the evidence, one "could be forgiven thinking" the project would fail".

What are some alternatives to "could be forgiven thinking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "understandably believe", "reasonably conclude", or "justifiably think", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "could be forgiven thinking"?

While "could be forgiven thinking" is grammatically correct, it is in the passive voice. Using an active construction, such as "one might understandably think", can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

What's the difference between "could be forgiven for thinking" and "could be forgiven thinking"?

"Could be forgiven for thinking" is more common and grammatically standard. "Could be forgiven thinking" omits the "for", which is less conventional but still understandable in certain contexts.