Cool MateMy apologies vs Pardon me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
My apologies
Top 2,000 (common)
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Pardon meMost common: My apologies
| My apologies | Pardon me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //maɪ əˈpɒlədʒiz//🇺🇸 //maɪ əˈpɑlədʒiz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// |
| Meaning | I'm sorry. | Excuse me |
| Example | My apologies for the mistake. | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | extend my apologies, offer my apologies, express my apologies | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes |
| Antonyms | No apology, Unapologetic, No regrets | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'my excuse' which has a different meaning., Used too casually in formal settings. | 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 | Use this phrase to express regret; appropriate in most situations but more common in written or formal contexts. | 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: My apologies vs Pardon me
What's the difference between My apologies and Pardon me?
My apologies: I'm sorry. Pardon me: Excuse me
Which is more formal: My apologies and Pardon me?
Pardon me is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: My apologies and Pardon me?
My apologies is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
My apologies: My apologies for the mistake. Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that?
Can I use My apologies and Pardon me interchangeably?
Not always. My apologies 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.