Cool MateLook I'm really sorry vs My apologies
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Look I'm really sorry
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
My apologies
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: My apologies
| Look I'm really sorry | My apologies | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lʊk aɪm ˈrɪəli ˈsɒri//🇺🇸 //lʊk aɪm ˈrɪli ˈsɑri// | 🇬🇧 //maɪ əˈpɒlədʒiz//🇺🇸 //maɪ əˈpɑlədʒiz// |
| Meaning | A way to apologize sincerely. | I'm sorry. |
| Example | Look, I'm really sorry for being late. | My apologies for the mistake. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | really sorry for, sincerely sorry, deeply sorry, truly sorry, apologize sincerely | extend my apologies, offer my apologies, express my apologies |
| Antonyms | - | No apology, Unapologetic, No regrets |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'I'm' for incorrect grammar., Using it in formal situations., Not using a sincere tone. | Confused with 'my excuse' which has a different meaning., Used too casually in formal settings. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations when you want to express sincere regret. Avoid in formal contexts; instead, use more formal apologies. | Use this phrase to express regret; appropriate in most situations but more common in written or formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Look I'm really sorry vs My apologies
What's the difference between Look I'm really sorry and My apologies?
Look I'm really sorry: A way to apologize sincerely. My apologies: I'm sorry.
Which is more formal: Look I'm really sorry and My apologies?
My apologies is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Look I'm really sorry: Look, I'm really sorry for being late. My apologies: My apologies for the mistake.
Can I use Look I'm really sorry and My apologies interchangeably?
Not always. Look I'm really sorry and My apologies 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.