Cool MateExcuse me vs Pardon vs Say what again
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excuse me
Pardon
Say what again
| Excuse me | Pardon | Say what again | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈskjuːz miː//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈskjus mi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑː.dən//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən// | 🇬🇧 //seɪ wɒt əˈɡɛn//🇺🇸 //seɪ wɑt əˈɡɛn// |
| Meaning | A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. | To excuse someone for something they did wrong. | Repeat something that someone said. |
| Example | Excuse me, could you please help me? | Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? | I was so shocked I said, 'Say what again?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (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 | say what again, ask for repetition, express surprise |
| 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. | Used too formally in serious conversations., Omitted the word 'what,' making it unclear., Assumed to be a polite request instead of an expression of shock. |
| 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. | Used in conversations to ask for repetition, often when surprised or confused. Might not be appropriate in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Excuse me vs Pardon vs Say what again
What's the difference between Excuse me, Pardon, and Say what again?
Excuse me: A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. Pardon: To excuse someone for something they did wrong. Say what again: Repeat something that someone said.
Which is more common: Excuse me, Pardon, and Say what again?
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? Say what again: I was so shocked I said, 'Say what again?'
Can I use Excuse me, Pardon, and Say what again interchangeably?
Not always. Excuse me, Pardon, and Say what again 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.