great clemency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great clemency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is referring to a significant degree of mercy or leniency shown by a person or authority. Example: "The judge showed great clemency in his sentencing, allowing the defendant a chance for rehabilitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Charles did not secure his heritage without a civil war, but he was speedily victorious and made his position secure by treating his opponents with great clemency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"When we arrest criminals who come from France, some actually tell us upfront that they expect greater clemency in Switzerland than in France," Ms. Bonfanti said.

The New York Times

Advocates for greater clemency have argued that Obama should follow through on the underlying principles of the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act that he himself signed, which reduced the disparity in federal treatment of crimes involving crack cocaine and cocaine powder.

HuffPost

Mrs. Kerry's appeal for clemency required great courage.

The New York Times

Its editorial page has celebrated him for having "done his country a great service" and supports clemency for the crimes he has committed.

The Economist

It has been the source of great controversy over the past three decades, with clemency granted to Richard Nixon, Marc Rich, and Scooter Libby, but too few others.

Huffington Post

Despite the stipulation in Canon Law that recanting heretics be reprieved, Mary was determined to make an example of Cranmer, arguing that "his iniquity and obstinacy was so great against God and your Grace that your clemency and mercy could have no place with him", and pressed ahead with his execution.

Wikipedia

The board has great power, since the governor can grant clemency only on its recommendation.

The Economist

The prospects of Perry granting clemency for Woods are not great.

The Guardian

President Clinton's final pardon list today was notable for names not included, especially that of Michael R. Milken, the convicted Wall Street financier whose appeal for clemency was a source of great debate.

The New York Times

Valdez continued to encourage Shank to apply for clemency, even though the odds weren't great.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great clemency", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a notable degree of mercy or leniency. This phrase is most effective when the act of clemency is significant or surprising.

Common error

Avoid using "great clemency" in contexts where simple forgiveness or understanding is sufficient. The phrase implies a more formal or significant act of leniency, so reserve it for appropriate scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great clemency" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "great" modifies the noun "clemency", intensifying its meaning. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe significant mercy or leniency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great clemency" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant act of mercy or leniency. Ludwig confirms its correctness and suggests using it in contexts where the magnitude of forgiveness is noteworthy. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in formal and neutral contexts, predominantly in encyclopedias and news media. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "considerable leniency" or "substantial mercy" to convey a similar meaning. The phrase should be used judiciously, reserved for situations where the act of clemency is truly exceptional. While grammatically correct and supported by some examples, its infrequency suggests using it thoughtfully to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable leniency

Substitutes "clemency" with "leniency" and "great" with "considerable", altering the specific choice of words to convey a similar degree of mercy.

substantial mercy

Replaces "clemency" with "mercy" and "great" with "substantial", providing a close synonym with a slight variation in tone.

significant leniency

Similar to "considerable leniency", this option also replaces "clemency" while keeping the overall meaning consistent.

remarkable mercy

Uses "remarkable" instead of "great" to emphasize the unusual extent of the mercy shown.

exceptional clemency

Emphasizes the outstanding quality of the clemency.

extreme leniency

Highlights the high degree of leniency granted.

vast compassion

Shifts the focus to the feeling behind the act, using compassion instead of clemency.

abundant forgiveness

Focuses on the act of forgiving, highlighting the generosity involved.

immense mercy

Uses "immense" to further emphasize the high degree of mercy.

extraordinary leniency

Highlights the unusual or special nature of the leniency shown.

FAQs

How can I use "great clemency" in a sentence?

You can use "great clemency" to describe a situation where someone shows remarkable mercy or leniency, such as, "The judge showed great clemency in his sentencing."

What are some alternatives to "great clemency"?

Alternatives to "great clemency" include phrases like "considerable leniency", "substantial mercy", or "significant leniency", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In what context is it appropriate to use "great clemency"?

"Great clemency" is most appropriately used in formal contexts, such as legal or historical narratives, where a significant act of leniency is demonstrated by an authority figure.

What is the difference between "great clemency" and "simple forgiveness"?

"Great clemency" implies a formal act of leniency, often by someone in authority, such as a judge or ruler. In contrast, simple forgiveness is a more personal and informal act of pardoning someone for a minor offense.