past exonerative

Coined by political scientist William Schneider.[1]

past exonerative

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.
   • 1991, The New York Times Magazine:

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

   • 1997, National Journal:

     The President expressed himself in what might be called the past exonerative, a verb tense politicians use when they're in trouble.

   • 2018, Doug Bandow, Two Steps Ahead of the Thought Police, Routledge, →ISBN:

     Now the past exonerative and other slippery passive usages are rampant (or should that be, are being run rampantly?) throughout the press.