to atone for

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some want to atone for past mistakes.

The Economist

Outside forces have much to atone for.

The Guardian - Opinion

I need to atone for my sins".

The Guardian - Books

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

Now you just have to atone for it.

The New York Times - Food

But he had rather more to atone for.

The New Yorker

I'm here to atone, for him and other youth.

The Washington Post

This fall, Gap will try to atone for such missteps.

The New York Times

And one has to atone for the other?

The Guardian - Film

I want you to atone for what you did".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to atone for" when you want to express a genuine effort to correct a wrong or make amends for a past action. Ensure the context clearly indicates the action being atoned for.

Common error

Avoid using "to atone for" lightly. It implies a significant wrong and a sincere effort to make amends, not just a simple apology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to atone for" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, specifically to make amends or reparations for a wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to atone for" is a versatile phrase used to express the intention to make amends or compensate for a wrong. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While primarily neutral in tone, it can lean towards formal. When using "to atone for", ensure that the context warrants such a strong expression of remorse and corrective action. Remember that alternatives like "to make amends for" or "to compensate for" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make amends for

Emphasizes repairing the damage caused by an action.

to compensate for

Focuses on providing something to offset a loss or harm.

to make up for

Suggests restoring balance or rectifying a deficiency.

to expiate

Implies purification or cleansing of guilt.

to redress

Highlights correcting a wrong or injustice.

to rectify

Focuses on setting something right or correcting an error.

to do penance for

Involves performing acts of self-mortification to demonstrate repentance.

to atone

Shorter and less explanatory, used to express regret.

to seek forgiveness for

Highlights the pursuit of absolution from a higher power or individual.

to ask for absolution

A formal way of requesting forgiveness, often in a religious context.

FAQs

How can I use "to atone for" in a sentence?

Use "to atone for" to show you are making amends or reparations for a mistake. For example: "The company is trying to "to atone for" its past environmental damage by investing in renewable energy projects".

What are some alternatives to "to atone for"?

You can use alternatives like "to make amends for", "to compensate for", or "to make up for" depending on the context.

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

"Atone" is the verb, while "to atone for" includes the preposition that specifies what you are atoning for. Both are correct but used differently; "to atone for" is often more specific.

What's the difference between "to atone for" and "to apologize for"?

"To apologize for" expresses regret, while "to atone for" implies taking action to correct a wrong. Apologizing acknowledges the mistake; atoning seeks to repair the damage.