Cool MatePardon me vs So sorry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
So sorry
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Pardon meMost common: So sorry
| Pardon me | So sorry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// | 🇬🇧 //səʊ ˈsɒri//🇺🇸 //soʊ ˈsɔri// |
| Meaning | Excuse me | A way to express regret or apology. |
| Example | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? | I am *so sorry* for forgetting your birthday. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes | say so sorry, feel so sorry, be so sorry, apologize and say so sorry |
| 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. | Used too frequently in casual situations, may come off as insincere., Confusing with 'so sorry for' which needs an object., Not capitalizing 'So' at the beginning of a sentence. |
| 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. | Used to express sincere regret in various contexts, often in response to a mistake or misunderstanding. Suitable for both formal and informal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Pardon me vs So sorry
What's the difference between Pardon me and So sorry?
Pardon me: Excuse me So sorry: A way to express regret or apology.
Which is more formal: Pardon me and So sorry?
Pardon me is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Pardon me and So sorry?
So sorry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that? So sorry: I am *so sorry* for forgetting your birthday.
Can I use Pardon me and So sorry interchangeably?
Not always. Pardon me and So sorry 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.