Different Ways to Say 'Sorry' in English
When you make a mistake that hurts someone, it's important to apologize. But there are lots of different ways to say "sorry" in English to choose from.
The simplest way to apologize is to say "I'm sorry." You can also add emphasis with words like "very" or "really." But remember that for a good apology, it's important to show that you know what you did wrong and that it won't happen again.
For example, "I'm really sorry for what I said. I know I hurt your feelings and I won't do it again."
You can say "I apologize" instead of "I'm sorry" in any situation, but it's often used in more formal situations, like at work.
For example, "I apologize for your order being late. I know you needed it yesterday. We'll do everything we can to make sure this doesn't happen again."
People usually say "pardon me" in situations where they have not done something serious, but a small apology is still needed. It's best used when you have done something rude by accident.
For example, if you bump into someone as you walk past them, you might say "pardon me!" to show that you didn't mean to.
Saying "my bad" to someone is a quick and simple way to apologize. However, it's also very informal, so it's best used when speaking to friends, and should not be used to apologize for serious mistakes.
For example, "I forgot to buy you a drink from the shop. My bad."
