had been forgiven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been forgiven" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was forgiven at some point in the past, often in relation to another past event. Example: "After much reflection, she realized that she had been forgiven for her mistakes long ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Amid an important postseason chase, all had been forgiven.

The New York Times - Sports

I had been forgiven, for a while, for my body.

The Guardian

Much, but not all, had been forgiven, if not forgotten.

The New York Times - Sports

That made it appear that the loan had been forgiven in the previous year.

The Washington Post

But the Pentagon's chief spokesman, Larry Di Rita, said Mr. Ruff had been forgiven.

The New York Times

In one study, participants who had been forgiven for a transgression reported greater "repentance motivation" than participants who had not been forgiven.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Much has been forgiven.

The New York Times - Travel

All of his flaws have been forgiven.

The New York Times - Sports

All seems to have been forgiven.

The New York Times - Books

"I've forgiven, I've been forgiven.

The Guardian

"I've been forgiven," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been forgiven" to clearly indicate that an action of forgiving occurred and was completed before another point in time. This is especially useful in narratives or historical accounts to establish the sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "had been forgiven" when a simple past tense is sufficient. For instance, instead of "He realized he had been forgiven," use "He realized he was forgiven" if the time frame is immediate and doesn't require emphasizing a past action's completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been forgiven" functions as a passive construction in the past perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing the completed action of forgiveness before another past event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been forgiven" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction in the past perfect tense. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it serves to indicate that an act of forgiveness was completed before a specific point in the past. Its neutral register allows for usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, academic, and narrative writing. Remember to use it when you need to emphasize the completed nature of the forgiveness in relation to another past event, and be mindful of potential tense errors. Prominent sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, further confirming its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received forgiveness

Focuses on the act of receiving forgiveness rather than the state of being forgiven.

was granted absolution

Implies a more formal or religious context of forgiveness.

had been absolved

Similar to 'granted absolution', suggesting a release from guilt.

was pardoned

Often used in legal or official contexts.

found redemption

Highlights the positive outcome of being forgiven, emphasizing personal recovery.

had their sins forgiven

Emphasizes the religious aspect of forgiveness from sins.

was cleared of wrongdoing

Specifically refers to being forgiven in the context of accusations or offenses.

was shown mercy

Focuses on the act of showing compassion rather than the state of being forgiven.

had been excused

Implies a lesser offense that has been overlooked.

was let off the hook

An informal way of saying someone was not punished.

FAQs

How is "had been forgiven" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been forgiven" indicates a state resulting from a completed action of forgiveness before a specific point in the past. For example, "By the time he apologized, he "had been forgiven" by his family."

What's an alternative to saying "had been forgiven"?

Alternatives include "received forgiveness", "was pardoned", or "had been absolved". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "had been forgiven" or "was forgiven"?

"Had been forgiven" is used to emphasize that the act of forgiving happened before another event in the past. "Was forgiven" implies the forgiveness occurred in the past without emphasizing its completion relative to another past event.

In what contexts is "had been forgiven" most appropriate?

It's particularly useful in legal, historical, or narrative contexts where establishing a clear sequence of events is important. In everyday conversation, "was forgiven" might be more common unless you need to stress the timing.