Meaning of past exonerative | Babel Free
Definitions
The notional past tense of non-apology apologies like "mistakes were made", in which a speaker uses the passive voice (and past tense) and careful wording to avoid imputing intent or blame for a failure.
Examples
“When deniability is impossible, dissociation is the way, and the past exonerative allows the actor to separate⟳ himself from the act.”
“The President expressed himself in what might be called the past exonerative, a verb tense politicians use⟳ when they're in trouble⟳.”
“Now the past exonerative and other slippery passive usages are rampant (or should that be, are being run⟳ rampantly?) throughout the press⟳.”
CEFR level
B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
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