vardon
C1Formal, polite, legal
Definition
Meaning
The action of excusing or forgiving an offence or error.
An official order releasing a convicted person from the legal consequences of a crime; also used as a polite formula to ask for repetition or clarification.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it denotes forgiveness or a legal act. As an exclamation ('Pardon?'), it is a polite request for repetition, more formal than 'Sorry?' or 'What?'. The verb 'to pardon' means to forgive or excuse officially.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'Pardon?' (or 'Pardon me?') is a standard, polite request for repetition, especially in formal settings or among older speakers. In AmE, 'Pardon?' is considered very formal or old-fashioned; 'Sorry?' or 'Excuse me?' are more common. The legal sense (gubernatorial pardon) is identical.
Connotations
In BrE, can sound deliberately polite, middle-class, or slightly old-fashioned. In AmE, may sound affected or excessively formal in casual speech.
Frequency
Higher frequency in BrE for the repetition request function. Similar frequency in legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pardon somebody (for something/for doing something)pardon somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “I beg your pardon”
- “Pardon my French”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; potentially in very formal apologies: 'Pardon the delay in my response.'
Academic
In legal/historical texts discussing executive clemency or judicial mercy.
Everyday
As a polite interjection ('Pardon?') or in fixed phrases ('pardon me').
Technical
Primarily in legal terminology regarding executive power to nullify punishment.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The governor decided to pardon the convicted felon.
- Pardon me, I didn't quite catch that.
American English
- The President may pardon individuals for federal crimes.
- Pardon my interrupting, but we need to leave.
adverb
British English
- This is pardonably confusing for newcomers.
- He pardonably forgot the appointment.
American English
- She was pardonably nervous during her speech.
- The team pardonably celebrated their narrow victory.
adjective
British English
- He spoke in a pardonable error.
- The mistake was hardly pardonable.
American English
- Her excitement was a pardonable offence.
- It was a pardonable lapse in judgement.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Pardon? Can you say that again, please?
- He said 'pardon me' when he bumped into her.
- The king granted a full pardon to the prisoner.
- I beg your pardon, but I think you're mistaken.
- The controversial presidential pardon was debated in the media.
- She could not pardon him for betraying her trust.
- The act of pardoning war criminals remains a contentious diplomatic issue.
- His arrogance was not easily pardonable, despite his subsequent apologies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PARt of a DONation is forgiven – you are PARDONed and don't have to pay it back.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORGIVENESS IS ERASING A DEBT / CLEARING A RECORD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'Извините?' as 'Pardon?' in AmE; 'Excuse me?' or 'Sorry?' is more natural. Do not confuse with 'прощение' (forgiveness) in all contexts; legal 'pardon' is 'помилование'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Pardon?' excessively in AmE, sounding unnatural. Incorrect preposition: 'pardon *from* something' (correct: 'pardon for something').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'Pardon?' be LEAST natural in modern American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Pardon me?' is specifically for asking someone to repeat something. 'Excuse me?' can be used for that too, but 'Excuse me' (without the question tone) is also used to get attention, apologise for a minor intrusion, or move past someone.
A pardon is usually for an individual or a specific group after conviction, forgiving the punishment. An amnesty is often broader, granted to a group of people (e.g., political offenders) and usually implies immunity from prosecution, often before any conviction.
It depends on tone and context. It can be a very polite apology or request for repetition. However, if said with a sharp tone, it can express indignation or signal that the speaker has been offended.
Yes, but it's less common. For example, a judge might say, 'I am inclined to pardon,' meaning to grant forgiveness. More commonly, it takes an object: 'pardon someone' or 'pardon an offence'.