has been forgiven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been forgiven" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been absolved of a wrongdoing or offense in the past. Example: "After much reflection, she realized that he truly has been forgiven for his mistakes, and they can move forward together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Money

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Much has been forgiven.

The New York Times - Travel

He has been forgiven, so why not the Osmonds?

The Guardian - Music

Already, they say, Greece has been forgiven a formidable amount of its international debt.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far, some $20 billion of that amount has been forgiven.

The New York Times

Each suffered a defeat early in the season, which historically has been forgiven by voters.

The New York Times - Sports

(He has since amassed more parcels, and the loan has been forgiven).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

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

Spain would have been forgiven for feeling like a victim.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been forgiven" to clearly indicate that someone's past actions or mistakes have been pardoned or excused. It is best when implying a sense of closure or acceptance.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being forgiven automatically means that relationships or situations return to their previous state. Forgiveness is about releasing resentment, while reconciliation requires effort from both parties. Consider if reconciliation is implied in your writing, and if so, make that explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been forgiven" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received forgiveness from someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been forgiven" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has received absolution for a past offense. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, consider whether you're emphasizing the act of forgiving or the state of being forgiven, and choose synonyms accordingly. Avoid confusing forgiveness with reconciliation, as the latter implies a deeper level of restored relationship. Ludwig's examples clearly display different use cases of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has received forgiveness

Focuses on the act of receiving forgiveness, highlighting the recipient's perspective rather than the act itself.

has been pardoned

Implies a more formal or legal act of forgiveness, often used in the context of crimes or offenses.

has been absolved

Suggests a formal or religious cleansing of sin or wrongdoing.

has been exonerated

Indicates that someone has been cleared of blame or wrongdoing, often through evidence or investigation.

has been excused

Implies that an action or behavior has been overlooked or deemed acceptable, often in a social context.

has been let off the hook

An informal expression meaning someone has avoided punishment or consequences for their actions.

has been given a second chance

Highlights the opportunity for someone to redeem themselves after a mistake.

has made amends

Emphasizes the act of repairing damage or making restitution for a wrong.

is in the clear

Suggests that someone is no longer under suspicion or facing negative consequences.

has been redeemed

Indicates that someone has been transformed or saved from a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "has been forgiven" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been forgiven" indicates that someone's past actions have been pardoned. For example, "Although he made mistakes, he "has been forgiven" by his community".

What's the difference between "has been forgiven" and "has been pardoned"?

"Has been forgiven" generally implies personal or interpersonal forgiveness, while "has been pardoned" often refers to a legal or official act of clemency.

What are some alternatives to saying "has been forgiven"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has received forgiveness", "has been absolved", or "has been excused".

Is it correct to say "have been forgiven" instead of "has been forgiven"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "have been forgiven" for plural subjects (e.g., "They have been forgiven"), and ""has been forgiven"" for singular subjects (e.g., "He has been forgiven").