Cool MateBegging your pardon vs Excuse me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Begging your pardon
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Excuse me
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: Begging your pardonMost common: Excuse me
| Begging your pardon | Excuse me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbɛɡɪŋ jɔːr ˈpɑːdn//🇺🇸 //ˈbɛɡɪŋ jʊr ˈpɑrdən// | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈskjuːz miː//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈskjus mi// |
| Meaning | A polite way to ask someone to repeat something. | A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. |
| Example | I didn't hear you clearly; begging your pardon, could you repeat that? | Excuse me, could you please help me? |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | begging your pardon, pardon me, excuse me | excuse me, please, excuse me for interrupting, excuse me, do you mind? |
| Antonyms | - | ignore me, overlook, disregard |
| 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. | Using 'excuse me' in a rude way, Saying 'excuse me' too loudly in quiet places, Not using it when walking past someone |
| 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. | Use this phrase when you need to interrupt or ask for help politely. It's appropriate in most situations but avoid using it in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Begging your pardon vs Excuse me
What's the difference between Begging your pardon and Excuse me?
Begging your pardon: A polite way to ask someone to repeat something. Excuse me: A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something.
Which is more formal: Begging your pardon and Excuse me?
Begging your pardon is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Begging your pardon and Excuse me?
Excuse me is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Begging your pardon: I didn't hear you clearly; begging your pardon, could you repeat that? Excuse me: Excuse me, could you please help me?
Can I use Begging your pardon and Excuse me interchangeably?
Not always. Begging your pardon and Excuse 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.