Cool MatePardon vs Say that again
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pardon
Top 2,000 (common)
Say that again
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: PardonMost common: Say that again
| Pardon | Say that again | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɑː.dən//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑrdən// | 🇬🇧 //seɪ ðət əˈɡɛn//🇺🇸 //seɪ ðæt əˈɡɛn// |
| Meaning | To excuse someone for something they did wrong. | Repeat what you just said. |
| Example | Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? | Could you **say that again**? I didn't catch it. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | pardon me, pardon my interruption, pardon my mistake | say that again please, can you say that again, I didn't hear you, say that again, say that again louder, please say that again |
| Antonyms | blame, condemn, punish | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'forgive' - 'pardon' is more formal., Used inappropriately in casual conversations., Omitting the object, e.g., saying 'pardon?' without context. | Using it in formal conversations when it's not appropriate., Forgetting to use 'please' to sound more polite., Mispronouncing 'that' leading to confusion. |
| Usage notes | Use 'pardon' in formal situations or when asking for forgiveness. Less common in casual settings. | Use this phrase when you want someone to repeat something. It’s casual and appropriate with friends, but can be seen as rude in formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Pardon vs Say that again
What's the difference between Pardon and Say that again?
Pardon: To excuse someone for something they did wrong. Say that again: Repeat what you just said.
Which is more formal: Pardon and Say that again?
Pardon is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Pardon and Say that again?
Say that again is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Pardon: Could you please PARDON my interruption during the meeting? Say that again: Could you **say that again**? I didn't catch it.
Can I use Pardon and Say that again interchangeably?
Not always. Pardon and Say that 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.