it was forgiven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was forgiven" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or wrongdoing that has been pardoned or excused in the past. Example: "After a long discussion, I realized that it was forgiven, and we could move on from the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The recipient would have to pay interest on the loan until it was forgiven, at which point it would become a gift, Ms. Price said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was — forgive me — C. P. Snow.

The New York Times - Books

"Test of Faith: The Roman Catholic Church may forgive our sins--but can it be forgiven for its own?" The American Scholar, September 7 , 2015

Huffington Post

The rogue is blamed but ultimately the system that produces it is forgiven.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first time this happens, it's forgiven for sure.

TechCrunch

Coming from a man who meets with two companies and receives at least ten business plans per day, it's forgiven.

Forbes

If you have any balance left over after that, it's forgiven.

Huffington Post

It's a cliche as erroneous as it is widespread and it is, forgive me, quite maddening and completely false.

The Guardian - Music

The performance may make no sense in the context of the rest of the film, but it is — forgive me, Father — gratifying nunsense.

The New York Times

At Annicka it was—forgive me easy bein' green.

The New Yorker

All, it seemed, was forgiven and forgotten.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was forgiven" when you want to emphasize that a specific past action or mistake has been pardoned or excused, and is no longer being held against someone.

Common error

Avoid using "it was forgiven" interchangeably with phrases like "it is forgotten" or "it was excused" without considering the subtle differences in meaning. "It was forgiven" implies a conscious decision to pardon, while "it was forgotten" suggests the issue is simply no longer remembered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was forgiven" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that an action or offense has been pardoned. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing acceptance or overlooking of a past transgression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was forgiven" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a past mistake or offense has been pardoned. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase can be found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While similar to phrases like "it was excused" or "it was forgotten", it carries the specific connotation of a conscious decision to pardon. When writing, it's important to consider these nuances to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was excused

Suggests a justification or reason for overlooking the action.

it has been pardoned

Focuses on the act of pardoning rather than the state of being forgiven.

it was let go

Emphasizes the act of releasing or ceasing to dwell on the issue.

it was absolved

Implies a formal or religious cleansing of wrongdoing.

it was condoned

Implies acceptance of behavior that might otherwise be objectionable.

the matter was dropped

Indicates that the issue was ceased to be pursued or discussed.

it was written off

Suggests that the issue was considered a loss or not worth pursuing.

it was forgotten

Focuses on the act of forgetting rather than the act of forgiving.

it was reconciled

Implies restoration of friendly relations.

it was redeemed

Implies that something was saved or recovered from a negative state.

FAQs

How can I use "it was forgiven" in a sentence?

You can use "it was forgiven" to indicate that a past mistake or offense has been pardoned. For example: "Although he made a serious error, "it was forgiven" after he apologized sincerely".

What's the difference between "it was forgiven" and "it was excused"?

"It was forgiven" implies a conscious act of pardon after acknowledging a wrongdoing. "It was excused", on the other hand, suggests that the action was justified or overlooked, possibly without explicit forgiveness.

Are there situations where "it was forgotten" is more appropriate than "it was forgiven"?

Yes, if the mistake or offense is no longer remembered or relevant, "it was forgotten" might be more appropriate. "It was forgiven" implies that someone consciously chose to pardon the offense, which may not always be the case.

What are some alternatives to "it was forgiven"?

Alternatives include "it was pardoned", "it was absolved", or "it was excused", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.