forgiving

USAGE SUMMARY

'forgiving' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe a person or an action as being merciful, kind, or understanding. For example: The teacher was forgiving and allowed the students an extra day to finish the assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And some versions of the Lord's Prayer say "Forgive us our debts" rather than "Forgive us our trespasses".The Live 8 campaign in 2005 tried to shame developed nations into forgiving the debts of poor countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Economist

A decade and a bit of daily political reporting sets you up well for that: it requires you to enter a world without sense and linger there, consuming and forgiving the madness, for much longer than you should.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But even if that were the case, then you could understand it, one might be rather forgiving it,.

The Guardian

In the book, titled The Book of Forgiving, Mpho said it was important to convey how she went from "nausea, disgust, fear, confusion" to finding her own peace with the atrocity through the stages of forgiveness she and her father lay out.

The Guardian

Love defended his team, but not all of the press were so forgiving.

The Guardian - Sport

Fortunately the New Zealand coach, Steve Hansen, is the forgiving sort – "Our team is like a family and, if one of your family members mucks up, you don't stop loving them" – and Cruden was swiftly welcomed back into the fold.

The Guardian - Sport

Bread is incredibly forgiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others are less forgiving.

The New York Times - Sports

But, having lent $28 billion to Argentina last year, some of it against the better judgment of the United States Treasury, the IMF is not in forgiving mood.

The Economist

Many of them have been remarkably forgiving of their former enemies.

The Economist

A prominent Bengali businessman praises her energy and direct manner, forgiving her much as she struggles with a dire legacy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forgiving" to highlight positive qualities like understanding and compassion, particularly in situations where others might be judgmental or harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "forgiving" when the situation warrants accountability or justice. Overusing the term can minimize the impact of serious offenses and undermine the need for appropriate consequences.

Linguistic Context

The term "forgiving" primarily functions as an adjective, describing someone or something inclined to forgive or showing compassion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forgiving" functions primarily as an adjective to describe someone or something with a disposition to pardon or excuse. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and widespread use. It is observed across various contexts, notably in news, formal business communications, and even scientific literature. While synonyms like "merciful" or "lenient" exist, "forgiving" uniquely balances the act of pardoning with understanding and compassion. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain credibility and avoid undermining accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merciful

Emphasizes compassion and withholding punishment.

lenient

Focuses on mildness and permissiveness in judgment or discipline.

compassionate

Highlights empathy and concern for others' suffering.

understanding

Stresses empathy and insight into someone's situation.

tolerant

Implies acceptance of differing views or behaviors.

excusing

Focuses on overlooking or justifying a fault or offense.

pardoning

Suggests formally or officially forgiving an offense.

absolving

Implies clearing someone of blame or guilt.

condoning

Suggests accepting or allowing something that is considered wrong.

overlooking

Focuses on ignoring or disregarding something.

FAQs

How is "forgiving" used in a sentence?

You can use "forgiving" to describe someone who is inclined to forgive, as in "She is a very "forgiving" person". It can also describe an action or situation, such as "The software was designed to be "forgiving" of minor errors".

What are some synonyms for "forgiving"?

Alternatives to "forgiving" include "merciful", "lenient", "compassionate", and "understanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be "forgiving" or "understanding"?

Whether to be "forgiving" or "understanding" depends on the situation. "Forgiving" implies pardoning an offense, while "understanding" involves empathy and insight. Both are valuable qualities, but they apply in different contexts.

When is it not appropriate to be "forgiving"?

It might not be appropriate to be "forgiving" when doing so would enable harmful behavior or undermine justice. In such cases, accountability and setting boundaries are more important than being "forgiving".