Cool MateBegging your pardon vs Pardon me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Begging your pardon
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
| Begging your pardon | Pardon me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbɛɡɪŋ jɔːr ˈpɑːdn//🇺🇸 //ˈbɛɡɪŋ jʊr ˈpɑrdən// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// |
| Meaning | A polite way to ask someone to repeat something. | Excuse me |
| Example | I didn't hear you clearly; begging your pardon, could you repeat that? | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | begging your pardon, pardon me, excuse me | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes |
| Common mistakes | Used in an informal setting where 'sorry' is more appropriate., Not followed by clarification or repetition of the misunderstood phrase., Assuming everyone understands this phrase; it may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers. | Used incorrectly in casual situations, where 'excuse me' is more appropriate., Mispronounced or said too quickly, losing clarity., Omitting 'please' when seeking favor or attention. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal contexts to show respect or when you did not hear or understand something. It may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Used to politely ask someone to repeat or to get attention. Formal context, often used when someone is interrupting or needs to ask for clarification. |
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Frequently asked questions: Begging your pardon vs Pardon me
What's the difference between Begging your pardon and Pardon me?
Begging your pardon: A polite way to ask someone to repeat something. Pardon me: Excuse me
Can you show an example of each?
Begging your pardon: I didn't hear you clearly; begging your pardon, could you repeat that? Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that?
Can I use Begging your pardon and Pardon me interchangeably?
Not always. Begging your pardon and Pardon me are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.