Cool MatePardon me vs Sorry about that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Sorry about that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Pardon meMost common: Sorry about that
| Pardon me | Sorry about that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɒri əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈsɔri əˈbaʊt ðæt// |
| Meaning | Excuse me | An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| Example | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? | I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes | sorry about that mistake, sorry about that delay, sorry about that accident, sorry about that confusion, sorry about that interruption |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using it for serious offenses; it's too casual., Forgetting to provide a reason for the apology., Not using it in the right tone; it can sound insincere if not expressed well. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'sorry about that' to apologize for minor issues. It is appropriate in casual and semi-formal contexts, but avoid in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Pardon me vs Sorry about that
What's the difference between Pardon me and Sorry about that?
Pardon me: Excuse me Sorry about that: An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience.
Which is more formal: Pardon me and Sorry about that?
Pardon me is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Pardon me and Sorry about that?
Sorry about that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that? Sorry about that: I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink.
Can I use Pardon me and Sorry about that interchangeably?
Not always. Pardon me and Sorry about that 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.