Cool MateGuilty vs Sorry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Guilty
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Sorry
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
| Guilty | Sorry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɡɪlti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɡɪlti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɒri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɑːri/"]/ |
| Meaning | Feeling bad about something wrong you did. | A word used to express regret or apology. |
| Example | After the trial, she felt guilty about her actions that led to the accident. | I'm really sorry for the mistake I made. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | feel, look, extremely, really, very, about, be, plead, believe somebody, certainly, clearly, obviously, of | be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/something), be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/something), be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, about, for, be sorry to disappoint somebody, be sorry to hear about something/that…, be sorry to interrupt (somebody/something) |
| Antonyms | innocent, blameless, guiltless | happy, unapologetic |
| Common mistakes | Mixing up 'guilty' with 'innocent'., Using 'guilty' with positive actions., Confusing 'feel guilty' with 'feel guilted'. | Using 'sorry' when it's not needed, making it seem insincere., Confusing 'sorry' with 'I'm sorry' — they can be used interchangeably, but 'I'm sorry' can sound more formal., Not using 'sorry' in situations where an apology is expected. |
| Usage notes | Use 'guilty' in both legal contexts and personal feelings. It's neutral but can feel strong when discussing serious matters. Avoid using it casually in light situations. | Use 'sorry' to apologize in casual and formal situations. It’s polite in conversations if you've made a mistake. Avoid overusing it in professional settings where you need to be more specific about the issue. |
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Frequently asked questions: Guilty vs Sorry
What's the difference between Guilty and Sorry?
Guilty: Feeling bad about something wrong you did. Sorry: A word used to express regret or apology.
Which is more advanced: Guilty and Sorry?
Guilty is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Guilty and Sorry the same CEFR level?
Guilty: B1, Sorry: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Guilty and Sorry?
Guilty: adjective, Sorry: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Guilty: After the trial, she felt guilty about her actions that led to the accident. Sorry: I'm really sorry for the mistake I made.
Can I use Guilty and Sorry interchangeably?
Not always. Guilty and 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.