English Dictionary

past exonerative

名詞

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.

日本語の意味

非謝罪的謝罪（例：「mistakes were made」など）の一形態として、過去形と受動態を用い、話し手が故意性や責任を回避するための表現様式を示す言葉

The CEO's statement was a classic past exonerative: 'Mistakes were made, and steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence.'

そのCEOの声明は典型的な過去形の免罪的表現だった。『ミスはありましたが、再発を防ぐための措置が取られています。』

意味（1）

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.

When deniability is impossible, dissociation is the way, and the past exonerative allows the actor to separate himself from the act.