pardon him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pardon him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for forgiveness or understanding regarding someone's actions or words. Example: "If he made a mistake during the presentation, please pardon him; he was nervous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He did not pardon him.

The New York Times

"Obama could pardon him and we hope so," he said.

The Guardian - Film

I doubt he will pardon him, but he could reduce his sentence, and he should.

The New York Times

"I told the mayor yesterday," Mr. Jindal said, "if I had the power, I'd pardon him".

The New York Times

He was the first senator in eighty years to go to prison; President Bill Clinton refused to pardon him.

The New Yorker

"Dick was terribly upset that he didn't pardon him, get him off the hook," Cheney's friend Bernie Seebaum told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Chambliss thought, for example, that Gov. George Wallace would eventually pardon him.

The New York Times

Rana is ready to pardon him, but not Emad, who presses for revenge.

The New Yorker

Snowden's supporters have pressed Barack Obama to pardon him before he leaves office in late January.

The Guardian

"Bring him into the court, charge him, convict him, and then pardon him if necessary.

The New York Times

Which brings me to my third question: who would pardon him?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pardon him" when a formal request for forgiveness or understanding is needed, particularly in contexts involving authority figures or legal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "pardon him" when a simple 'excuse me' is more appropriate. "Pardon" implies a more significant transgression than a minor social faux pas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pardon him" functions as a request for forgiveness or clemency on behalf of another person. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where it's used to implore an authority or individual to overlook someone's mistake or offense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pardon him" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to seek forgiveness or leniency for someone. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase appears commonly in news and media contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. Alternatives include "forgive him" or "excuse him", depending on the severity of the situation. While generally correct, it's important to reserve "pardon him" for situations that warrant a formal request for understanding or clemency, avoiding its use in trivial circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgive him

Focuses on offering forgiveness for a mistake or wrongdoing.

excuse him

Suggests a more casual or polite request for understanding or overlooking a minor fault.

overlook his mistake

Focuses on consciously deciding to ignore a specific error or oversight.

have mercy on him

Implies a plea for leniency or compassion in a dire situation.

show him clemency

Highlights the act of granting a pardon or reducing a punishment by someone in authority.

absolve him

Suggests formally clearing someone of blame or guilt.

acquit him

Implies a legal declaration of innocence.

let him off the hook

An informal way of saying to release someone from an obligation or punishment.

give him a pass

Indicates granting an exemption from a rule or expectation.

turn a blind eye to his actions

Suggests deliberately ignoring someone's wrongdoing.

FAQs

How is "pardon him" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "pardon him" is typically used as a request for forgiveness or understanding for someone's actions or words. For example: "If he made a mistake, please "pardon him"; he was nervous."

What are some alternatives to "pardon him"?

You can use alternatives like "forgive him", "excuse him", or "have mercy on him" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "pardon him" instead of "excuse him"?

"Pardon him" is more appropriate when referring to a more serious offense or when seeking formal forgiveness, whereas "excuse him" is suitable for minor transgressions or interruptions.

In what situations might someone seek a pardon?

A pardon is often sought in legal or official contexts, where an individual is seeking forgiveness for a crime or offense. You can also "show him clemency" by reducing a punishment by someone in authority.