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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
I'm sorry for bothering you.
I'd be happy if someone would answer my question. Thanks in advance.
Concerning the sentence: "I'm sorry for bothering you."
<Question>
Does this sentence mean that the speaker is bothering the listener now and is sorry for it (Situation 1), or that the speaker has been bothering the listener and is sorry for it now (Situation 2), or both?
Concerning the sentence: "I'm sorry for bothering you."
<Question>
Does this sentence mean that the speaker is bothering the listener now and is sorry for it (Situation 1), or that the speaker has been bothering the listener and is sorry for it now (Situation 2), or both?
Top answer
It could be used in either situation. If you wish to clarify that it is the past, use ' I am sorry for having bothered you' .
- It could be used in either situation.
- If you wish to clarify that it is the past, use ' I am sorry for having bothered you' .
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3 Answers
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It could be used in either situation. If you wish to clarify that it is the past, use 'I am sorry for having bothered you'.
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You could also say, "I'm sorry to have bothered you". Without context, this might be ambiguous, but the people involved will certainly be able to figure out the time reference.
"I'm sorry to bother you" puts it unquestionably in the present.
"I'm sorry to bother you" puts it unquestionably in the present.
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