What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
absolve
Example
The court absolved the defendant of all charges. [absolved: past tense]
Example
The priest absolved the penitent of their sins. [absolved: verb]
forgive
Example
I forgive you for what you said earlier. [forgive: verb]
Example
It's important to learn to forgive others to find inner peace. [forgive: infinitive]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Forgive is more commonly used than absolve in everyday language. Forgive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while absolve is less common and refers to a more formal or legal act of exoneration.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between absolve and forgive?
Absolve is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, while forgive can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
