does not exonerate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not exonerate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something does not absolve or clear someone of blame or responsibility. Example: "The evidence presented does not exonerate the defendant from the charges against him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But that does not exonerate Van Commenee.

The Guardian - Sport

That does not exonerate us of any responsibility.

Independent

The movie does not exonerate Mr. Williams (given a creepy edge by Cle Bennett).

The New York Times - Arts

Improperly labeled nutritional supplements may have caused the positive tests, but that does not exonerate the athletes, scientists said.

The New York Times - Sports

The court also noted that while the DNA evidence does not exonerate Mr. Rivera, it nonetheless "embedded reasonable doubt deep into the state's theory".

The New York Times

"But then you must understand why forgiving like that — it still does not exonerate you from the crime that you committed".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"It doesn't exonerate anybody," she said.

The New York Times

That doesn't exonerate American policies, he said.

The New York Times - Arts

This doesn't exonerate the excessive claims of the pharmaceutical industry.

The New York Times

"The fact he's been cleared of all charges doesn't exonerate the government for the way this was done," Mr. Rousso said.

The New York Times

It doesn't exonerate or rehabilitate McNamara at all, it just presents him, and he doesn't seem to fit the role of Machiavellian schemer responsible for 'McNamara's War'.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not exonerate" to clearly indicate that despite certain circumstances, someone is still not free from blame or responsibility. For example: "His apology, while appreciated, "does not exonerate" him from the consequences of his actions."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "does not exonerate" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider alternatives like "doesn't excuse" or "doesn't let off the hook" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not exonerate" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing that a particular action, fact, or circumstance fails to clear someone of blame or responsibility. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts, including legal, ethical, and practical scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not exonerate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the lack of absolution from blame or responsibility. As noted, based on the examples Ludwig AI provides, it commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "does not absolve" or "does not excuse" may be suitable in certain situations, it's crucial to remember that using "does not exonerate" in casual conversation could sound overly formal. Therefore, it's best applied when a clear assertion of ongoing accountability is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not absolve

Replaces "exonerate" with "absolve", indicating a failure to free someone from guilt.

does not vindicate

Replaces "exonerate" with "vindicate", suggesting a failure to clear someone from blame.

does not acquit

Replaces "exonerate" with "acquit", which is more specific to a legal context.

does not clear

Uses a simpler verb, "clear", to convey the same meaning of not freeing someone from blame.

does not excuse

Replaces "exonerate" with "excuse", implying the action doesn't pardon the mistake.

does not justify

Uses "justify" instead of "exonerate", focusing on whether the action provides a valid reason, not necessarily absolving guilt.

does not excuse from responsibility

More explicit in specifying that responsibility remains, even if there's a mitigating factor.

fails to absolve

Uses "fails to" to emphasize the lack of absolution.

leaves liable

Indicates that responsibility or legal obligation continues to exist.

does not mitigate

Replaces "exonerate" focusing instead on reducing the severity of the consequences.

FAQs

What does "does not exonerate" mean?

The phrase "does not exonerate" means that someone is not cleared of blame or responsibility for something, even if there are mitigating circumstances. It implies that while there might be an explanation or partial justification, the person is still accountable.

What can I say instead of "does not exonerate"?

You can use alternatives like "does not absolve", "does not excuse", or "does not vindicate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "does not exonerate him from blame"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "does not exonerate" typically takes "from" to indicate what the person is not being cleared from, such as blame, responsibility, or charges.

What's the difference between "does not exonerate" and "does not justify"?

"Does not exonerate" implies that someone is still blameworthy, even if there's an explanation. "Does not justify" means that the action or situation doesn't provide a valid reason or excuse, but it doesn't necessarily imply guilt. For instance, "His difficult childhood "does not justify" his crimes, nor "does it exonerate" him."