Cool MateApologies vs Pardon me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apologies
Top 2,000 (common)
Pardon me
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Pardon meMost common: Apologies
| Apologies | Pardon me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈpɒlədʒiz//🇺🇸 //əˈpɑːlədʒiz// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑːdən miː//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən mi// |
| Meaning | Saying you're sorry for something you did wrong. | Excuse me |
| Example | He made his apologies to the crowd for being late. | Pardon me, could you please repeat that? |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | extend apologies, offer apologies, accept apologies, make an apology, issue apologies | pardon my interruption, pardon my dust, pardon my mistakes |
| Antonyms | refusal, insult, offense | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'apologies' without specifying what for., Confusing 'apologies' with 'apologize' as a verb., Overusing 'apologies' in casual contexts. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apologies' in both formal and informal settings. In formal contexts, use complete phrases like 'I offer my sincere apologies'. Avoid using it in casual conversations where just 'sorry' may suffice. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apologies vs Pardon me
What's the difference between Apologies and Pardon me?
Apologies: Saying you're sorry for something you did wrong. Pardon me: Excuse me
Which is more formal: Apologies and Pardon me?
Pardon me is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Apologies and Pardon me?
Apologies is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Apologies: He made his apologies to the crowd for being late. Pardon me: Pardon me, could you please repeat that?
Can I use Apologies and Pardon me interchangeably?
Not always. Apologies and Pardon me 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.