forgave: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal (the past tense form is used across registers, but the concept of forgiveness itself leans towards more serious, personal, or formal contexts).
Quick answer
What does “forgave” mean?
The simple past tense of 'forgive'. It means to have stopped feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offence, flaw, or mistake.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The simple past tense of 'forgive'. It means to have stopped feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offence, flaw, or mistake.
Can imply the formal or informal act of pardoning a debt, cancelling an obligation, or choosing to overlook a transgression, thereby restoring a relationship or balance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in religious or solemn contexts, but equally applicable in everyday speech in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparatively lower frequency than common irregular past tenses (e.g., went, saw) due to its specific semantic domain, but standard within that domain.
Grammar
How to Use “forgave” in a Sentence
[Subject] forgave [Object: Person] for [NP/V-ing][Subject] forgave [Object: Debt/Sin][Subject] forgave [Object: Person] [Object: Wrong] (less common)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forgave” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She forgave him his rudeness after a heartfelt apology.
- The bank manager forgave the small overdraft fee as a goodwill gesture.
American English
- He forgave her for missing the big game.
- The teacher forgave the late assignment due to the student's illness.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when formally pardoning a debt or overlooking a professional misstep. 'The board forgave the initial loan to help the startup.'
Academic
Appears in literary analysis, psychology, and religious studies texts discussing themes of reconciliation. 'The protagonist finally forgave his father's abandonment.'
Everyday
Common in personal narratives about resolving arguments or family disputes. 'Mum forgave me for breaking the vase after I apologised.'
Technical
Rare in technical contexts unless specifically discussing moral philosophy, theology, or conflict resolution frameworks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forgave”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forgave”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forgave”
- Using "forgived" (incorrect regularisation of an irregular verb).
- Using "forgave" as a present tense form (e.g., *"I forgave you now").
- Confusing "forgave" with "apologised" (forgave is what the wronged person does).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the irregular simple past tense of the verb 'forgive'. The past participle is 'forgiven'.
Rarely. It is a transitive verb and usually requires an object (the person or thing being forgiven). For example, 'I forgave him' is correct; '*I forgave' is unusual and would require very clear context.
'Forgave' implies a deeper, more personal release of resentment for a more serious wrong. 'Excused' is often for minor matters of etiquette or procedure ('She excused his late arrival').
In British English: /fəˈɡeɪv/ (fuh-GAYV). In American English: /fərˈɡeɪv/ (fer-GAYV). The stress is on the second syllable.
The simple past tense of 'forgive'. It means to have stopped feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offence, flaw, or mistake.
Forgave is usually neutral to formal (the past tense form is used across registers, but the concept of forgiveness itself leans towards more serious, personal, or formal contexts). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Forgave and forgot (variant of 'forgive and forget')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FOR a GAVE (gift), I FORGAVE.' Giving someone the gift of forgiveness in the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORGIVENESS IS A DEBT BEING CANCELLED / FORGIVENESS IS RELEASING A BURDEN / FORGIVENESS IS ERASING A RECORD.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the action of 'forgave'?