Cool MateForgive me vs Look I'm really sorry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forgive me
Top 2,000 (common)
Look I'm really sorry
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Forgive me
| Forgive me | Look I'm really sorry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //fəˈɡɪv mi//🇺🇸 //fərˈɡɪv mi// | 🇬🇧 //lʊk aɪm ˈrɪəli ˈsɒri//🇺🇸 //lʊk aɪm ˈrɪli ˈsɑri// |
| Meaning | Please excuse me or let me off the hook. | A way to apologize sincerely. |
| Example | Forgive me for being late to the meeting. | Look, I'm really sorry for being late. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | forgive me for something, forgive me if, please forgive me | really sorry for, sincerely sorry, deeply sorry, truly sorry, apologize sincerely |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'forgive' used without an object., Using inappropriately informal contexts., Incorrectly conjugating 'forgive' (e.g., forgiving me). | Omitting 'I'm' for incorrect grammar., Using it in formal situations., Not using a sincere tone. |
| Usage notes | Use 'forgive me' when apologizing. It's appropriate in personal and professional contexts, but avoid it in very casual situations. | Use in casual conversations when you want to express sincere regret. Avoid in formal contexts; instead, use more formal apologies. |
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Frequently asked questions: Forgive me vs Look I'm really sorry
What's the difference between Forgive me and Look I'm really sorry?
Forgive me: Please excuse me or let me off the hook. Look I'm really sorry: A way to apologize sincerely.
Which is more formal: Forgive me and Look I'm really sorry?
Forgive me is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Forgive me: Forgive me for being late to the meeting. Look I'm really sorry: Look, I'm really sorry for being late.
Can I use Forgive me and Look I'm really sorry interchangeably?
Not always. Forgive me and Look I'm really 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.