What is the difference of ( to atone for, to to redeem, to make amends"?

Question

1) I have to atone for my offence.2) I have to redeem my offence.3) I have to make amends for my offence.Are they the same meaning? which one is commonly used in daily conversationthanks

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

1) I have to atone for my offence.

atone - Used for very serious matters. Formal. Almost Biblical-sounding. Seldom used.
2) I have to redeem my offence.

redeem - The structure here needs to be someone redeems himself for some offence.

ie I have to redeem myself for murder / for forgetting my wife's birthday.

Somewhat formal. Not uncommon.
3) I have to make amends for my offence.
to make amends - To compensate for or make up for.

eg In some countries, a murderer makes amends to the victim's family by paying money.

eg Tom forgot his wife's birthday, but later made amends by taking her out to a nice restaurant.

Somewhat formal. Not uncommon.

The word 'offence' itself is quite formal and legalistic, and not commonly used for small matters. Instead, we often say instead things like 'my error', 'my mistake', 'what I did wrong'.

I would say that the common expression is 'to make up for something'.

eg He arrived at work late this morning, but he will make up for it by staying late this evening.

We also use commonly a slightly different structure with 'to make up . . '

eg Tom forgot his wife's birthday. Later, he made it up to her by taking her out to a nice restaurant.

Best wishes, Clive

What is the difference of ( to atone for, to to redeem, to make amends"?

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