Cool MateExcuse me vs Pardon
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excuse me
Top 1,000 (very common)
Pardon
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Excuse me
| Excuse me | Pardon | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈskjuːz miː//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈskjus mi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑː.dən//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən// |
| Meaning | A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. | To excuse someone for something they did wrong. |
| Example | Excuse me, could you please help me? | Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | excuse me, please, excuse me for interrupting, excuse me, do you mind? | pardon me, pardon my interruption, pardon my mistake |
| Antonyms | ignore me, overlook, disregard | blame, condemn, punish |
| Common mistakes | Using 'excuse me' in a rude way, Saying 'excuse me' too loudly in quiet places, Not using it when walking past someone | Confused with 'forgive' - 'pardon' is more formal., Used inappropriately in casual conversations., Omitting the object, e.g., saying 'pardon?' without context. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when you need to interrupt or ask for help politely. It's appropriate in most situations but avoid using it in very formal contexts. | Use 'pardon' in formal situations or when asking for forgiveness. Less common in casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Excuse me vs Pardon
What's the difference between Excuse me and Pardon?
Excuse me: A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. Pardon: To excuse someone for something they did wrong.
Which is more common: Excuse me and Pardon?
Excuse me is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Excuse me: Excuse me, could you please help me? Pardon: Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting?
Can I use Excuse me and Pardon interchangeably?
Not always. Excuse me and Pardon 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.