forbearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forbearance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of refraining from exercising a legal right, or showing patience and restraint in difficult situations. Example: "The landlord showed great forbearance by allowing the tenant extra time to pay the rent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone knows that communication, forbearance and respect are important in a relationship – they're important in a bus queue – but there are some things about marriage you learn only in the second decade.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There has been much debate about whether a prolonged period of ultra-low interest rates and forbearance by the banks towards struggling companies has created a generation of zombie companies.

The Guardian - Business

Her words, calling for forbearance and conciliation and the loosening of the knots of history, striving to create a more harmonious relationship "close as good neighbours should always be", led all the Irish papers.

The Guardian

In the comedy category, the annoyingly good Olivia Colman is nominated for her patient forbearance as Alex, the vicar's wife in Rev.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Look closely and they have an incentive to show such forbearance.

The Guardian

Yet if Mr Sharif is seen to grow soft on his enemies, such American forbearance might not last.

The Economist

And in part she is talking, softly but sternly, to the Germans, lest they forget that as recently as the 1990s, Germany was called "the sick man of Europe".Keeping the European family healthy takes never-ending hard work and forbearance, says the Protestant pastor's daughter and Mutti of her nation.

The Economist

All they want is to improve themselves physically, morally and spiritually, and they say that "Master Li" has shown them how to do it with his preaching of "truth, forbearance and benevolence".They accuse the government of having twisted the truth about the Falun Gong all along.

The Economist

A little forbearance might come in handy.

The Economist

Almost all the loans are to big firms, presumably with political clout, increasing the likelihood of forbearance.

The Economist

"We dug ourselves a hole, and we climbed out of it".In the past some in Latvia, still the EU's fourth-poorest member, have grumbled about the forbearance shown to richer bailed-out countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial or legal contexts, use "forbearance" to specifically denote the act of a lender or creditor temporarily suspending payments or enforcement. This distinguishes it from general patience.

Common error

Avoid using "forbearance" to describe simply ignoring a problem. It implies a conscious decision to temporarily withhold action, not a lack of awareness or effort. The term suggest an active waiting instead of a passive position.

Linguistic Context

The noun "forbearance" primarily functions as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the act of restraining from enforcing a right or the quality of being patient and tolerant. Ludwig examples show it functioning both in general contexts and specifically within financial and legal settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forbearance" is a versatile noun signifying patient self-control, tolerance, or the act of refraining from enforcing a right. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and business contexts. While synonyms like "patience" and "tolerance" exist, "forbearance" often carries a more formal or legalistic connotation, especially in financial discussions. Remember to use it to imply a conscious act of restraint rather than passive acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and applicable in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tolerance and restraint

Highlights the ability to endure provocation or hardship with controlled behavior.

patience and understanding

Emphasizes both the tolerance aspect and the sympathetic consideration of another's situation.

exercise of patience

Refers to the active application of patience in a challenging situation.

leniency towards

Focuses on the act of being merciful or lenient in judgment or treatment.

compassionate understanding

Highlights the empathetic aspect of tolerating another's actions or situation.

self-restraint

Emphasizes the internal control and discipline involved in withholding action.

temporary reprieve

Signifies a short-term suspension of a penalty or obligation.

act of indulgence

Suggests a willingness to allow or permit something, often despite reservations.

grace period

Indicates a specific timeframe where leniency or exemption is granted.

delayed enforcement

Specifically refers to postponing the implementation of a rule or obligation.

FAQs

How is "forbearance" typically used in financial contexts?

In finance, "forbearance" refers to a lender's act of postponing foreclosure or debt collection when a borrower is temporarily unable to meet their obligations. It's a form of temporary relief, not debt forgiveness.

What are some synonyms for "forbearance" that I can use in everyday conversation?

Depending on the context, you can use "patience", "tolerance", "leniency", or "restraint" as alternatives to "forbearance".

Is "forbearance" a positive or negative quality?

"Forbearance" is generally considered a positive quality, implying self-control and understanding. However, in certain situations, excessive "forbearance" could be seen as enabling negative behavior or delaying necessary action.

What's the difference between "forbearance" and "endurance"?

"Forbearance" suggests a deliberate choice to restrain oneself or delay action, often with an expectation of eventual resolution or change. "Endurance", on the other hand, implies bearing hardship or suffering over a prolonged period, without necessarily implying active restraint.