To forgive meaning in English
Learn how to use To forgive correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to forgive: to excuse, to pardon, to absolve
I'm sorry that I stole your girlfriend, I hope that you can forgive me someday.
This is an irregular verb:
I forgive / I forgave / I have forgiven
(a) forgiving (person): (a) tolerant, compassionate, merciful (person)
forgiveness: the act of forgiving, pardon
Examples
- "You'll have to forgive Brian."
- "Now, I have some extra copies of my resumé here in my briefcase, please forgive the bloodstains."
- "You broke my heart in two, and although I've tried, I can't forgive you."
- "Please forgive me for that stupid prank the other day, and please just forgive me generally too."
- "Please forgive me."
- "I can only hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me."
- "You are so forgiving!"
- "Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought this was the land of forgiveness, of redemption, the land of second chances."
- "Bruno : Please forgive me, guys."
- "I am using my last silk scarf to write you this note, please forgive the ink-stained fabric."
- "Please forgive me for my absence, and wish me luck as I visit one of America's oldest and most famous cities, known for its lobsters and difficult-to-understand accents!"
- "Please forgive me for contacting you in this manner."
Exercise 1
True or False: Trey apologizes for the blood on the papers he offers to Luna.
True or False: Trey apologizes for the blood on the papers he offers to Luna.
This statement is true. Trey asks Luna to "forgive the bloodstains" on his resumé. "Bloodstains" are traces of blood typically found on clothing, but they can be anywhere that someone has been bleeding. Example: The murderer left bloodstains all over the floor and walls. A "stain" is a mark left by anything (food, wine, blood) found on clothing, an object, etcetera.
This statement is not false.
Exercise 2
Bruno asks Commissioner Gorgon to show leniency. A "lenient" person is .
Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means , and a "fine" is .
Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a !
Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means , and a "fine" is .
Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a !
Bruno asks Commissioner Gorgon to show leniency. A "lenient" person is forgiving 1.
Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means substantial 2, and a "fine" is a financial penalty 3.
Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a tree and its wood 4!
Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means substantial 2, and a "fine" is a financial penalty 3.
Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a tree and its wood 4!
1 forgiving: This is correct. A "lenient" person is "indulgent" or "forgiving" or "tolerant". "Leniency" describes the state of being indulgent or forgiving. In his letter, Bruno requests that Commissioner Gorgon show "leniency towards" his colleagues. This is a request for the Commissioner to give them special treatment, and not to punish them to the full extent of the law.
1 wise: This is incorrect. "Wise" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. A "wise" person shows good judgment or discretion and makes smart, fair decisions. Example: Solomon is known as a wise king, although he did suggest splitting an infant in half once. Other "wise" entities: Owls, Athena, Confucius, Buddha, Moses Maimonides.
1 intelligent: This is incorrect. "Intelligent" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. An "intelligent" person is smart, clever or possesses great intellect.
1 reasonable: This is incorrect. "Reasonable" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. A "reasonable" person favors rational thought and logic, while a "lenient" person is "forgiving" or "indulgent".
2 substantial: This is correct. In the context of Bruno's letter, the term "hefty" means "considerable", "large" or "substantial". When Bruno writes that he envisions a "hefty fine" for his employees, he is suggesting that the authorities levy a significant financial penalty against Jean and Kevin. Note that in the strictest sense, "hefty" means "heavy" or "weighty", for example: Elephants, hippos and whales are very "hefty" animals. The Blue-footed Booby? Not so much.
2 minimal: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "minimal" do not share similar meanings. "A minimal fine" would indicate the "minimum" or "smallest" financial penalty possible. This is not what Bruno envisions for his colleagues
2 nominal: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "nominal" do not share similar meanings. "Nominal" has several meanings in English, however in this context, the term suggests that the "fine" would be "in name, or form only" or "a token gesture", in other words this fine would be "very insignificant". Another example: King Gustaf is the nominal chief of state, but the Parliament holds the real power in Sweden.
2 light: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "light" do not share similar meanings. "A light fine" would describe a "small financial penalty", which is not what Bruno envisions for his colleagues.
3 a financial penalty: This is correct. A "fine" is a sum of money imposed as a penalty for an offense. "Fines" can be imposed for parking and traffic violations, small criminal offenses, delays in paying bills, etc. In his letter, Bruno writes that it would be appropriate for Commissioner Gorgon to demand a large sum of money from his two colleagues as a penalty for their offenses.
3 a jail sentence: This is incorrect. "A jail sentence" is the time or period in prison that someone is assigned after being convicted (or found guilty) of a crime. This period can range from 6 months to life (called a "life sentence"). Note that as a verb, "to sentence" is "to determine" the punishment or period of incarceration.
3 an official warning: This is incorrect. "A fine" is a financial penalty and not an "official warning". A "warning" is an alert or notification of something. For example: the policeman gave me a warning about speeding, but didn't give me a ticket.
3 a slap on the wrist: This is incorrect. "A slap on the wrist" is literally describes the action of hitting or striking someone lightly on around the hands, an action which doesn't hurt very much. "A slap on the wrist" is also an expression used to describe a light or mild criticism or punishment. For example: The politician got away with a slap on the wrist despite the serious nature of his crime.
3 a criminal record: This is incorrect. A "fine" is unrelated to "a criminal record", which is an official list of crimes for which a person has been previously convicted (or 'found guilty).
4 tree and its wood: This is correct. "Oak" is both a type of tree and wood (funny how that works). "Oaks" are strong trees and their wood is commonly used to create all types of furniture and flooring. In San Francisco, Oak Street runs west to east and straddles the panhandle, an extension of Golden Gate Park known for its basketball courts, drug dealers and homeless people.
4 fish in the flounder family: "Oak" is not a fish, and for the life of me I can't imagine what you were thinking when you clicked on this answer. But while you're here, we might as well French kiss or something. My parents won't be home for hours, and I've got that new Roxette album everyone's talking about. What do you say?
4 giant moose-like creature: Do not confuse the "Oak" with the "Elk", a fascinating antlered quadruped. Even though you were wrong on this one, I'd like you to know how much respect I have for you.
4 Japanese android which performs the functions of a wife and accountant : Thank you very much Mr. Roboto, but this type of android is unfortunately still just the stuff of fantasy... mine, mainly, but there is a burgeoning community clamoring for accountant/wife hybrid robots.
Exercise 3
Find the synonym!
In the above text, find the term which shares a similar meaning with "to pardon" or "to absolve". Type the term in the box below.
"I will never you for eating foie gras".
Bonus question! Let's find the simple past tense of this verb! (Hint: it's irregular!)
"I you last time you broke my nose, but this time I won't be so understanding".
In the above text, find the term which shares a similar meaning with "to pardon" or "to absolve". Type the term in the box below.
"I will never you for eating foie gras".
Bonus question! Let's find the simple past tense of this verb! (Hint: it's irregular!)
"I you last time you broke my nose, but this time I won't be so understanding".
Find the synonym!
In the above text, find the term which shares a similar meaning with "to pardon" or "to absolve". Type the term in the box below.
"I will never forgive 1 you for eating foie gras".
Bonus question! Let's find the simple past tense of this verb! (Hint: it's irregular!)
"I forgave 2 you last time you broke my nose, but this time I won't be so understanding".
In the above text, find the term which shares a similar meaning with "to pardon" or "to absolve". Type the term in the box below.
"I will never forgive 1 you for eating foie gras".
Bonus question! Let's find the simple past tense of this verb! (Hint: it's irregular!)
"I forgave 2 you last time you broke my nose, but this time I won't be so understanding".
1 forgive: "Forgive" is the term we were looking for here. To "forgive someone" to "pardon" them of a mistake or bad action. Example: "Will you forgive me for copying your homework?".
2 forgave: The verb "to forgive" is irregular: forgive/forgave/forgiven. It follows the model of 'to give!
Exercise 4
True or False? Bruno is furious with Horatio and plans to punish him.
True or False? Bruno is furious with Horatio and plans to punish him.
This statement is not true.
This statement is false. Although Bruno is indeed furious with Horatio for his actions in Los Angeles, he eventually congratulates Horatio and "hugs" (or embraces) him due to the publicity the company has received. To "punish" someone is to penalize or discipline them for an action. To be "furious" is to be "extremely angry".
Exercise 5
Polly writes that she isn't the type of person who "hedges the issue".
What does she mean by this?
What does she mean by this?
Polly writes that she isn't the type of person who "hedges the issue".
What does she mean by this?
What does she mean by this?
Although as a noun, "a hedge" is a type of plant, as a verb, "to hedge" means to avoid or evade. An "issue" is a problem or a concern.
This explanation does not reflect the meaning of the idiom "to hedge the issue". Someone who "forgives and forgets" is willing to excuse past problems and move on.
Although Polly is committed to many causes and issues, this explanation does not reflect the meaning of the idiom "to hedge the issue".
"To hedge the issue" is an expression which means to avoid or evade a question or problem. Polly writes that she is not the type of person who does this. In other words, she always addresses issues which must be addressed. An "issue" is a problem or matter.
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