Cool MateI beg pardon vs What did you say
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I beg pardon
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
What did you say
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: I beg pardonMost common: What did you say
| I beg pardon | What did you say | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ bɛg ˈpɑːdn//🇺🇸 //aɪ bɛg ˈpɑrdən// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt dɪd jʊ seɪ//🇺🇸 //wɑt dɪd jə seɪ// |
| Meaning | I ask you to forgive me or to repeat something. | A question asking someone to repeat what they said. |
| Example | I beg pardon, could you repeat that question? | I didn’t catch that; what did you say? |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | I beg your pardon, I beg pardon for, I beg pardon, could you, I beg pardon, may I | What did you just say?, What did you say again?, What did you say next? |
| Antonyms | I refuse, I decline, I do not accept | - |
| Common mistakes | Using in casual conversations too often., Confusing with 'I beg your pardon' as an accusation., Not recognizing it as a polite request. | Using 'What did you said?' instead of 'What did you say?', Forgetting to use intonation for questions., Confusing with 'What are you saying?' which can imply ongoing speech. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when asking for forgiveness or when you didn't hear something. It's more polite than just saying 'What?' and is suitable in formal contexts. | Used in conversations when the speaker did not hear or understand something. Appropriate in most informal and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: I beg pardon vs What did you say
What's the difference between I beg pardon and What did you say?
I beg pardon: I ask you to forgive me or to repeat something. What did you say: A question asking someone to repeat what they said.
Which is more formal: I beg pardon and What did you say?
I beg pardon is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: I beg pardon and What did you say?
What did you say is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I beg pardon: I beg pardon, could you repeat that question? What did you say: I didn’t catch that; what did you say?
Can I use I beg pardon and What did you say interchangeably?
Not always. I beg pardon and What did you say 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.