I beg your pardon (1)

FORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase I beg your pardon (1)

Meaning

You can say this to apologize for accidentally doing something or for making a small mistake.

For example

  • When I realized I'd stepped on a woman's foot, I said, "I beg your pardon."

  • After giving me the wrong change, the cashier said, "I beg your pardon. My mistake."

Note:
"Pardon", "Pardon me", "Sorry" and "Excuse me" are less formal ways of saying the same thing.

Quick Quiz

The waiter said, "I beg your pardon," after

a. bringing the bill

b. bringing our drinks

c. bringing the wrong dish
a) bringing the bill b) bringing our drinks c) bringing the wrong dish

Contributor: Matt Errey