What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clemency
Example
The governor granted clemency to the prisoner, reducing his sentence. [clemency: noun]
Example
The judge showed clemency towards the defendant, giving him a lighter sentence. [clemency: noun]
leniency
Example
The teacher showed leniency towards the student who was late for class. [leniency: noun]
Example
The boss decided to grant leniency to the employee for their minor mistake. [leniency: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Leniency is more commonly used than clemency in everyday language. Leniency is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while clemency is more specific to legal or official settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clemency and leniency?
While clemency is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, leniency can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
