What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unforgiven
Example
He remained unforgiven by his family for his past mistakes. [unforgiven: adjective]
Example
The crime was unforgiven by the victim's family, who sought justice. [unforgiven: adjective]
unforgivable
Example
What he did was unforgivable, and he knew it. [unforgivable: adjective]
Example
Cheating on an exam is an unforgivable offense in this school. [unforgivable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unforgivable is more commonly used than unforgiven in everyday language. Unforgivable is a more straightforward and objective term that is widely recognized as wrong, while unforgiven can be subjective and dependent on the perspective of the forgiver.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unforgiven and unforgivable?
Both unforgiven and unforgivable are formal terms that are typically used in serious or somber contexts, such as discussing crimes or moral offenses.
