to atone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to atone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to making amends or seeking forgiveness for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "He sought to atone for his past mistakes by volunteering in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some want to atone for past mistakes.

The Economist

"Does the heart want to atone?

The Guardian - Music

What can you do to atone?

The New York Times

Outside forces have much to atone for.

The Guardian - Opinion

They need to ask forgiveness to atone.

The Guardian

I need to atone for my sins".

The Guardian - Books

I: to atone the goddess is my charge.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Had he meant, by further damaging his reputation, to atone?

The New Yorker

Then Liverpool tried to atone somewhat for this troubled season.

The New York Times - Sports

IN A SENSE, Ms. Lagarde has something to atone for.

The New York Times

And Mr. Sheen knows he has plenty to atone for.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to atone" when you want to convey a sense of making amends for a wrongdoing, often with a connotation of seeking forgiveness or reconciliation.

Common error

Avoid using "to atone" in situations where simple apologies or corrections are sufficient. "To atone" implies a significant wrong that requires more than just a verbal apology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to atone" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or objective behind an action. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in conveying the intention to make amends or seek forgiveness for past wrongs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to atone" serves as an infinitive of purpose, commonly employed across varied contexts to signify the intention of making amends for a past misdeed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence in News & Media, Academic, and Wiki sources. While its register is generally neutral, "to atone" carries a sense of deep regret and commitment to reconciliation. When using this phrase, be mindful of its strong connotation of making amends for a serious wrong, and avoid using it when a simple apology would suffice. "To atone" is often best replaced with alternatives such as ""to make amends"" or ""to seek forgiveness"" for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make amends

Focuses on the act of repairing a wrong or injury.

to make reparations

Highlights the act of compensating for damage or loss.

to seek forgiveness

Emphasizes the act of asking for pardon.

to expiate

A more formal term for making amends, often used in religious contexts.

to do penance

Suggests performing an act of self-punishment or religious devotion to atone.

to redress

Implies correcting a wrong or grievance.

to compensate

Highlights providing something to offset a loss or injury.

to rectify

Focuses on correcting something that is wrong or inaccurate.

to absolve oneself

Highlights the act of clearing oneself of guilt or blame.

to answer for

Implies taking responsibility and facing the consequences of one's actions.

FAQs

How do you use "to atone" in a sentence?

You can use "to atone" to describe the act of making amends for a mistake or wrongdoing. For example, "He sought "to atone" for his past errors by volunteering his time."

What are some synonyms for "to atone"?

Some synonyms for "to atone" include "to make amends", "to expiate", and "to seek forgiveness".

Is it better to say "atone for" or "atone to"?

The correct usage is "atone for". You atone for a sin, mistake, or wrongdoing. You don't typically "atone to" someone.

What's the difference between "to atone" and "to repent"?

"To repent" refers to feeling remorse or regret for one's sins or misdeeds, whereas ""to atone"" involves taking action to make amends and repair the damage caused by those actions. Repentance is an internal feeling, while atonement is an external act.