Cool MateExcuse me vs Sorry about that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excuse me
Top 1,000 (very common)
Sorry about that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Excuse me
| Excuse me | Sorry about that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈskjuːz miː//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈskjus mi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɒri əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈsɔri əˈbaʊt ðæt// |
| Meaning | A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. | An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| Example | Excuse me, could you please help me? | I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink. |
| 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? | sorry about that mistake, sorry about that delay, sorry about that accident, sorry about that confusion, sorry about that interruption |
| Antonyms | ignore me, overlook, disregard | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'excuse me' in a rude way, Saying 'excuse me' too loudly in quiet places, Not using it when walking past someone | Using it for serious offenses; it's too casual., Forgetting to provide a reason for the apology., Not using it in the right tone; it can sound insincere if not expressed well. |
| 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 'sorry about that' to apologize for minor issues. It is appropriate in casual and semi-formal contexts, but avoid in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Excuse me vs Sorry about that
What's the difference between Excuse me and Sorry about that?
Excuse me: A polite way to get someone's attention or ask for something. Sorry about that: An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience.
Which is more common: Excuse me and Sorry about that?
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? Sorry about that: I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink.
Can I use Excuse me and Sorry about that interchangeably?
Not always. Excuse me and Sorry about that 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.