Cool MateMy fault vs Sorry about that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
My fault
Top 1,000 (very common)
Sorry about that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: My fault
| My fault | Sorry about that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //maɪ fɔːlt//🇺🇸 //maɪ fɔlt// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɒri əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈsɔri əˈbaʊt ðæt// |
| Meaning | It's my mistake. | An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience. |
| Example | I forgot to send the email. It's really my fault. | 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 | take responsibility, admit my fault, own up to my fault | sorry about that mistake, sorry about that delay, sorry about that accident, sorry about that confusion, sorry about that interruption |
| Antonyms | your fault, their fault, not my fault | - |
| Common mistakes | 'My fault' is often confused with 'not my fault' when denying responsibility., Learners might say 'it's my fault' when it should be 'that's my fault'. | 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 | Used to accept responsibility for a mistake. Appropriate in both casual and formal settings. Avoid in overly casual situations, as it may seem insincere. | 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: My fault vs Sorry about that
What's the difference between My fault and Sorry about that?
My fault: It's my mistake. Sorry about that: An expression of apology for a mistake or inconvenience.
Which is more common: My fault and Sorry about that?
My fault is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
My fault: I forgot to send the email. It's really my fault. Sorry about that: I'm so sorry about that, I didn't mean to spill your drink.
Can I use My fault and Sorry about that interchangeably?
Not always. My fault 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.