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Pardon in a Sentence: Meaning & 21 Examples

    Sentence examples showing how to use the word pardon

    Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you didn’t quite catch what someone said, and you had to ask them to repeat themselves? That’s where the concept of “pardon” comes into play. In everyday conversations, “pardon” is a polite way to ask someone to repeat or clarify what they said.

    When you utter “pardon,” it signals to the speaker that you are seeking clarification or additional information. This simple word can be used in various contexts, whether you missed a crucial detail in a conversation or didn’t hear someone properly. Pardon is a versatile term that can help facilitate better communication in diverse interactions.

    7 Examples Of Pardon Used In a Sentence For Kids

    1. Pardon me, can I have a turn on the swing?
    2. Pardon me, could you please pass the crayons?
    3. Pardon me, I didn’t mean to bump into you.
    4. Pardon me, may I borrow your pencil?
    5. Pardon me, I need help tying my shoelaces.
    6. Pardon me, may I have a sip of water?
    7. Pardon me, can I join in your game?
    Examples Of Pardon Used In a Sentence For Kids

    14 Sentences with Pardon Examples

    • Pardon me, could you please repeat the question?
    • Could you pardon me and clarify the due date for the assignment?
    • Pardon my late arrival, the traffic was unexpectedly heavy.
    • I’m afraid I didn’t understand the concept, could you pardon me and explain it again?
    • Pardon me, but do you have a spare pen I could borrow?
    • Pardon me for interrupting, but would you like to study together for the upcoming exam?
    • I’m sorry, could you pardon me and speak up a little louder?
    • Pardon me, but could you please share your notes from today’s lecture?
    • Pardon me, is it possible to get an extension on the project deadline?
    • I seem to have misplaced my ID card, pardon me, can I still enter the library?
    • Pardon me, would you mind if I joined your study group for the group project?
    • Can you pardon me and let me know where the closest photocopy shop is located?
    • Pardon me, but do you know if the teacher has uploaded the syllabus for the new semester?
    • I seem to have forgotten my calculator, pardon me, can I borrow yours for the math exam?
    Sentences with Pardon Examples

    How To Use Pardon in Sentences?

    Pardon is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to seek forgiveness or to politely ask for clarification. To use pardon in a sentence, follow these simple guidelines:

    1. Seeking Forgiveness: When you want to apologize or ask for forgiveness, you can use pardon in a sentence like this: “Please pardon me for my mistake.”
    2. Asking for Clarification: If you didn’t hear or understand something and need clarification, you can use pardon in a sentence like this: “Pardon me, could you repeat that again?”
    3. Formal Settings: In more formal settings, using pardon can show politeness and respect. For example, “I beg your pardon, could you please speak up?”
    4. In Writing: When writing a formal letter or email, you can use pardon to convey a sense of politeness. For instance, “I would like to seek your pardon for any inconvenience caused.”
    5. Common Phrases: Some common phrases with pardon include “pardon me” when trying to get someone’s attention or “I beg your pardon” when expressing disbelief or disagreement.

    Remember, using pardon in a sentence can help you communicate effectively and politely in various situations. Practice using pardon in different contexts to become more comfortable with its usage.

    How To Use Pardon in Sentences

    What Does “Pardon” Mean?

    Pardon has a few related meanings. As a verb, it means to forgive or excuse someone for an action: The coach pardoned the player for the honest mistake. As a noun, it can mean forgiveness, as in She asked for his pardon. In a legal context, a pardon is an official decision by an authorized government official or body concerning punishment for an offense. The exact legal effect depends on the jurisdiction.

    In conversation, pardon? or pardon me? can politely ask someone to repeat words you did not hear. The phrase pardon me can also introduce a small apology or politely get someone’s attention. Context, intonation, and the words around it help show which meaning is intended.

    How to Use “Pardon” in a Sentence

    Choose the sentence pattern that matches the meaning:

    • Pardon someone for something: “Please pardon me for interrupting.” Use this pattern when asking a person to forgive a particular action.
    • Ask for someone’s pardon: “He asked the neighbors’ pardon for the noise.” Here pardon is a noun meaning forgiveness.
    • Grant or receive a pardon: “The official granted a pardon,” or “She received a pardon.” This is the noun used in its formal legal sense.
    • Pardon? “Pardon? I missed the last part of your question.” As a short interjection, it asks for repetition; a rising, neutral tone makes that purpose clear.
    • Pardon me for doing something: “Pardon me for stepping between you.” This is a brief apology, often used for a minor interruption or inconvenience.

    More “Pardon” Sentence Examples by Meaning

    Asking someone to repeat or clarify

    1. “Pardon, did you say the meeting starts at nine or at noon?”
    2. “Pardon me, could you spell the street name?”
    3. “I beg your pardon; the train platform changed, and I did not hear the announcement.”

    Apologizing or asking forgiveness

    1. “Please pardon my interruption; I have one quick question.”
    2. “The shop owner pardoned the child for knocking over a display after the child apologized.”
    3. “She asked her colleague’s pardon for sending the message to the wrong address.”
    4. “Pardon me for arriving a few minutes late; the bus was delayed.”

    Referring to formal clemency

    1. “The governor announced a pardon for the person named in the official order.”
    2. “The petition asked the authorities to consider a pardon.”
    3. “A pardon was granted under the process established by that jurisdiction.”

    “Pardon Me” and “I Beg Your Pardon”

    Pardon me is a flexible expression. It may be a quick apology before passing someone, a polite way to interrupt, or a request to repeat a sentence. For instance, “Pardon me, may I get through?” signals that you need to pass; “Pardon me, what time did you say?” asks for information again.

    I beg your pardon is more formal and can also carry surprise or offense. “I beg your pardon—I thought this seat was reserved” is an apology or correction. “I beg your pardon!” after a rude remark can express indignation. Because the same words can do different jobs, explain your intention with a follow-up when needed: “Pardon? I didn’t catch that,” or “I beg your pardon for speaking over you.”

    Pardon vs. Forgive vs. Excuse

    Forgive is the broad everyday verb for no longer feeling resentment or for deciding not to blame someone. Pardon can mean forgive or excuse, but it often sounds more formal; it also has a specific official legal noun sense. Excuse commonly asks someone to overlook a small interruption or lets a person move past others: “Excuse me, may I reach the window?” These words sometimes overlap, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence. A person may forgive an insult, pardon a mistake, or excuse a brief interruption.

    Common Questions About “Pardon”

    Is “pardon” a noun or a verb?

    It can be both. In “I pardon you,” it is a verb. In “She asked for a pardon,” it is a noun. It also appears as an interjection in “Pardon?” when a speaker asks for repetition.

    Does “Pardon?” always mean “Please repeat that”?

    No. It often asks a listener to repeat something, but a strongly stressed “I beg your pardon!” may show that the speaker is offended. Add a short explanation if the context could be unclear.

    Is “pardon me” formal?

    It is generally polite and can sound formal, especially in “I beg your pardon.” In casual conversation, people also say “Sorry?” or “Could you repeat that?” to ask for repetition. The most natural choice varies with the speaker, setting, and region.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, sentences with “pardon” typically involve asking for forgiveness or granting forgiveness for an offense or mistake. The word “pardon” is commonly used to express a willingness to overlook an error or wrongdoing, showing understanding and compassion towards others. It can also be used in legal contexts to refer to an official act of forgiveness or release from punishment.

    By using “pardon” in sentences, individuals can convey remorse, seek reconciliation, or show mercy towards others. Whether seeking pardon for one’s own actions or offering it to someone else, the word carries a sense of forgiveness and understanding that can help promote harmony and understanding in various situations.

    Written & edited by

    Founder & Editor, StartsWithy

    Robin founded StartsWithy in 2022 to make English words easier to understand and use. Robin oversees our 30,000+ guides, checks meanings and grammar against trusted dictionaries such as Cambridge, Oxford Learner’s and Collins, and is accountable for every correction we make.