I'm sorry/excuse me

Question

Hello,could you please help me?If I haven't heard what sb has said or I haven't understood their words, should I say :1. I am sorry? / Sorry?2. Excuse me? 3. I beg your pardon? (this one is ok I think)According to definitions of words, I think we should say 'excuse me' but I think I have heard people say 'Sorry?'Thank you. Kind regards.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

If I haven't heard what sb has said or I haven't understood their words, should I say :

1. I am sorry? / Sorry? OK
2. Excuse me? OK
3. I beg your pardon? (this one is ok I think) Today, this seems old-fashioned and very formal. I seldom hear it.
I occasionally hear the short form, 'Pardon'? But not often, here in N. America.

According to definitions of words, I think we should say 'excuse me' but I think I have heard people say 'Sorry?'

Clive

Rover_KE · Answer

Here in the UK, 'pardon' and 'I beg your pardon' are very commonly heard.

We never say 'excuse me' to mean 'please repeat that'.

Rover

Coincidence · Answer

Thank you very much!
When it comes to 'excuse me', I've looked it up
in a dictionary and I've found that Americans do use it to say 'please repeat that'.
Thank you for your indication that the British don't use it for this purpose.

Kind regards.

I'm sorry/excuse me

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