Common Mistakes : Excuse

Excuse – Verb

BAD: Excuse me. I didn’t know that you wanted to speak to me

GOOD: I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you wanted to speak to me

BAD: Excuse me. I didn’t mean to hurt you

GOOD: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you

Use excuse me (1) when you interrupt someone (2) when you are trying to get past someone (3) when you speak to someone you don’t know: ‘Excuse me but there’s a long distance phone call for you.’ ‘Excuse me. Do you happen to know the way to the station

To apologize to someone, use I’m sorry (or just sorry ): ‘I’m terribly sorry. I forgot we’d arranged a meeting

BAD: When he got back home he excused himself and promised that he would never run away again

GOOD: When he got back home he apologized and promised that he would never run away again

Excuse oneself = give a reason for one’s actions: ‘She excused herself from the meeting, saying that she was not feeling well

Apologize = say you are sorry for (doing) something: ‘The bank wrote to apologize for overcharging me

BAD: He was sorry that he had lied to her and asked her to excuse him

GOOD: He was sorry that he had lied to her and asked her to forgive him

Excuse is used only for minor faults and offences: ‘I hope you’ll excuse my untidy handwriting. I am trying to write this letter on a train

Forgive is used for all faults and offences, both minor and major: ‘I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me for calling off the wedding.’ ‘Don’t forget her birthday or she’ll never forgive you