grant him clemency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grant him clemency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts when requesting leniency or mercy for someone, typically in relation to a punishment or sentence. Example: "The defense attorney pleaded with the judge to grant him clemency, citing his client's good behavior and remorse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Do not grant him clemency.

The New York Times

Mr. Peltier's supporters hope President Clinton will grant him clemency.

The New York Times

He had asked the governor not to grant him clemency.

The New York Times

It is for that reason they are asking the pardons board to grant him clemency.

The New York Times

The Board did not grant him clemency in September 2008, but the five-member Board had three new members.

Princeton University

His case came into the limelight in 2006 when his sister appealed to Pervez Musharraf, then the Pakistani president, to grant him clemency and repatriate him to India.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Many American law enforcement and intelligence officials have opposed granting him clemency.

The New York Times

Gov. George E. Pataki granted him clemency three years ago, opening a rare escape hatch from the tough drug sentences.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, Mr. Rosa was brought to the warden's office at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, Ill., and was told that President Obama had granted him clemency.

The New York Times

Frémont was not only relieved of his command, but court-martialed and convicted for insubordination and mutiny in 1848 (Polk granted him clemency).

The New York Times

He spent ten years behind bars before Putin granted him clemency before the Sochi Olympics; he is now living in Zurich and running an anti-Putin N.G.O., Open Russia, with offices in London, Prague, and Moscow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grant him clemency", ensure the context is formal and appropriate for legal or political discussions. It's often used when appealing to authority figures or boards.

Common error

Don't use "grant him clemency" when the situation requires an acquittal. Clemency acknowledges guilt but seeks leniency, while acquittal implies innocence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grant him clemency" is as a verb phrase used to express a formal request or action of bestowing mercy or leniency. It usually involves a governing body or individual with the power to reduce or eliminate a punishment. Ludwig AI indicates its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grant him clemency" is a grammatically correct and formal expression used to request or describe the act of showing mercy or leniency to someone convicted of a crime. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its suitability for legal and political contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is primarily found in News & Media and academic discussions. Alternative phrases include "show him leniency" or "extend mercy to him". When using this phrase, ensure the context is formal and appropriate for discussions involving legal authorities or appeals for leniency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show him leniency

Replaces "clemency" with "leniency", a synonym, and "grant" with "show".

extend mercy to him

Employs "mercy" instead of "clemency" and "extend" in place of "grant".

have mercy on him

Directly requests merciful treatment.

bestow clemency upon him

Uses a more formal verb ("bestow") and preposition ("upon") to convey a similar meaning.

give him a pardon

Substitutes "clemency" with "pardon", indicating a formal release from punishment.

commute his sentence

Focuses on the action of reducing the severity of his sentence, an effect of clemency.

spare him from punishment

Highlights the act of preventing punishment.

acquit him

Indicates a complete release from guilt or punishment.

exonerate him

Suggests clearing him from blame or wrongdoing.

absolve him of guilt

Focuses on the removal of guilt, often in a moral or legal context.

FAQs

What does "grant him clemency" mean?

To "grant him clemency" means to show mercy or leniency towards someone who has been convicted of a crime, typically by reducing their sentence or pardoning them.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "grant him clemency"?

It's appropriate to use "grant him clemency" in formal contexts such as legal discussions, appeals to authority figures, or when advocating for leniency in sentencing.

What can I say instead of "grant him clemency"?

You can use alternatives like "show him leniency", "extend mercy to him", or "give him a pardon" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "grant him clemency" the same as acquitting him?

No, "grant him clemency" is not the same as acquitting him. Clemency implies acknowledging guilt but seeking leniency, while acquittal means declaring him not guilty of the crime.