Cool MateExcuse vs Forgive vs Pardon
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excuse
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Forgive
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Pardon
Top 2,000 (common)
| Excuse | Forgive | Pardon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈskjuːs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈskjuːs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈɡɪv/","/fəˈɡɪvz/","/fəˈɡeɪv/","/fəˈɡɪvn/","/fəˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fərˈɡɪv/","/fərˈɡɪvz/","/fərˈɡeɪv/","/fərˈɡɪvn/","/fərˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑː.dən//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən// |
| Meaning | A reason you give to explain bad behavior or to get out of something. | To stop being angry at someone or to no longer blame them. | To excuse someone for something they did wrong. |
| Example | She made an excuse for being late to the meeting. | It's important to forgive others, even when it's difficult. | Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | |
| Collocations | perfect, wonderful, excellent, have, give, make, excuse about, excuse for, there is no excuse for…, perfect, wonderful, excellent, have, give, make, excuse about, excuse for, there is no excuse for…, lousy, miserable, pathetic, excuse for | quite, ever, never, be able to, be unable to, can, for, forgive and forget | pardon me, pardon my interruption, pardon my mistake |
| Antonyms | blame, accusation | resent, blame, hold a grudge | blame, condemn, punish |
| Common mistakes | Using 'excuse' instead of 'excuse me' for polite interruptions., Confusing 'excuse' with 'apology', thinking they mean the same., Using 'excuse' without an object; it typically is followed by what you are excusing. | Confused with 'excuse' or 'pardon' – they have different meanings., Using 'forgive' without an object – must specify who is being forgiven., Mixing up 'forgive' with 'forget'. | Confused with 'forgive' - 'pardon' is more formal., Used inappropriately in casual conversations., Omitting the object, e.g., saying 'pardon?' without context. |
| Usage notes | Use 'excuse' when you need to explain why you did something wrong or when you want permission to not do something. It's neutral but can sound insincere in some contexts. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often appropriate in personal relationships but may not be suitable in professional settings unless discussing interpersonal issues. | Use 'pardon' in formal situations or when asking for forgiveness. Less common in casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Excuse vs Forgive vs Pardon
What's the difference between Excuse, Forgive, and Pardon?
Excuse: A reason you give to explain bad behavior or to get out of something. Forgive: To stop being angry at someone or to no longer blame them. Pardon: To excuse someone for something they did wrong.
Can you show an example of each?
Excuse: She made an excuse for being late to the meeting. Forgive: It's important to forgive others, even when it's difficult. Pardon: Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting?
Can I use Excuse, Forgive, and Pardon interchangeably?
Not always. Excuse, Forgive, and Pardon are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.