I beg your pardon please?

Question

Hi,A book written by a native speaker from Great Britain, advised that:If I want somebody to repeat what he said, I can use "pardon?", but not "I beg your pardon please?"Does this apply to AE?Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Yes, the basic structures are the same ('Pardon?' = 'I beg your pardon?'), though Americans are more likely to say 'What?'

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thank you.

I don't think I have got what you mean.
Do you mean I can not use "I beg your pardon please?" in AmE, but I can use "I beg your pardon?" because it is equal to "Pardon?"

Mister Micawber · Answer

That's right.

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thanks.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Here in Canada, I rarely hear 'I beg your pardon / Pardon'.
What I hear all the time is 'Excuse me?'

Clive

Mister Micawber · Answer

What I hear all the time is 'Excuse me?'-- Ah, yes. Of course!

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thanks

Rover_KE · Answer

BE speakers say 'pardon' if we want somebody to repeat what they have said.

We say 'Excuse me' when we want to get past somebody who's in our way, to interrupt somebody's conversation, or to draw their attention when we want to ask them a question.

Rover

Stephenlearner · Answer

Thank you, Rover.

I beg your pardon please?

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