excuse me (1)

This page is about the conversational phrase excuse me (1)

Meaning

This is a polite thing to say if you want to speak to a stranger.

For example

  • I was waiting at the station when a woman said, "Excuse me, do you know what time the next train comes?"

  • He'd forgotten to take his phone, so I said, "Excuse me, but I think you left your phone on the table over there."

Quick Quiz

You can say "Excuse me" just before you

a. pay for something

b. tell someone the time

c. ask someone for directions
a) pay for something b) tell someone the time c) ask someone for directions

Contributor: Matt Errey