Cool MatePardon me vs Sorry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Sorry
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Most formal: Pardon meMost common: Sorry
| Pardon me | Sorry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɒri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɑːri/"]/ |
| Meaning | Excuse me | A word used to express regret or apology. |
| Example | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? | I'm really sorry for the mistake I made. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes | 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 | - | happy, unapologetic |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly in casual situations, where 'excuse me' is more appropriate., Mispronounced or said too quickly, losing clarity., Omitting 'please' when seeking favor or attention. | 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 | Used to politely ask someone to repeat or to get attention. Formal context, often used when someone is interrupting or needs to ask for clarification. | 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: Pardon me vs Sorry
What's the difference between Pardon me and Sorry?
Pardon me: Excuse me Sorry: A word used to express regret or apology.
Which is more formal: Pardon me and Sorry?
Pardon me is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Pardon me and Sorry?
Sorry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that? Sorry: I'm really sorry for the mistake I made.
Can I use Pardon me and Sorry interchangeably?
Not always. Pardon me 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.