Cool MateForgive vs Pardon
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forgive
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Pardon
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Forgive
| Forgive | Pardon | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈɡɪv/","/fəˈɡɪvz/","/fəˈɡeɪv/","/fəˈɡɪvn/","/fəˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fərˈɡɪv/","/fərˈɡɪvz/","/fərˈɡeɪv/","/fərˈɡɪvn/","/fərˈɡɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑː.dən//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən// |
| Meaning | To stop being angry at someone or to no longer blame them. | To excuse someone for something they did wrong. |
| Example | It's important to forgive others, even when it's difficult. | Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quite, ever, never, be able to, be unable to, can, for, forgive and forget | pardon me, pardon my interruption, pardon my mistake |
| Antonyms | resent, blame, hold a grudge | blame, condemn, punish |
| Common mistakes | 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 | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Forgive vs Pardon
What's the difference between Forgive and Pardon?
Forgive: To stop being angry at someone or to no longer blame them. Pardon: To excuse someone for something they did wrong.
Which is more common: Forgive and Pardon?
Forgive is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
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 Forgive and Pardon interchangeably?
Not always. 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.