Other Ways to Say Pardon Me: 30+ Examples In 2026

Quick Answer 🔥
Top 5 alternatives: Excuse me, I beg your pardon, Sorry, Forgive me, My apologies
If you often say pardon me but want to sound more fluent and natural, there are many alternatives. You can choose depending on tone, context, and audience, whether casual, professional, or formal.

What Does “Pardon Me” Mean?
Pardon me is a polite phrase used to get someone’s attention, apologize for a minor mistake, or ask someone to repeat something. It expresses respect and consideration in English communication.

People use it in daily conversation, in professional meetings, or when navigating crowded spaces. Choosing the right alternative helps you sound confident, polished, and culturally aware.

Learning alternatives to “pardon me” not only improves fluency but also allows you to express excitement in English or surprise politely. It’s an essential skill for English learners at any level.

“Choosing the perfect alternative to ‘pardon me’ elevates your communication skills.”

Quick Categories

Formal alternatives to “Pardon Me”

Excuse me
I beg your pardon
My apologies
Forgive me

Pro Tips: Use these in professional meetings, emails, or when addressing authority figures.

Casual alternatives

Sorry
Whoops
Oops
Pardon

Pro Tips: Casual phrases are best for friends, classmates, or light social interactions.

Professional alternatives

Allow me to interrupt
May I interject?
Could I clarify?
I apologize for the interruption

Pro Tips: Use in business calls or presentations to maintain professionalism.

Informal expressions

Hey, excuse me
Whoa, pardon
Sorry about that
My bad

Pro Tips: These fit relaxed conversations but should be avoided in formal settings.

Common Mistakes Using “Pardon Me”

Overusing in casual conversation – “Pardon me, can I grab the soda?” → Better: “Excuse me.”
Using with anger – “Pardon me!” in irritation may sound sarcastic.
Confusing with “excuse me” – “Pardon me” is polite; “excuse me” can signal interruption.
Wrong context in business – “Pardon me, I think you’re wrong” → Too abrupt; use “I beg your pardon, could you clarify?”
Mispronunciation – Saying “par-dun me” can sound unnatural; use clear enunciation.

What Does “Pardon Me” Mean?

Definition: A polite expression used to request repetition, apologize, or get attention.

Grammar Note: Typically followed by a pause or clarification request.

Example: “Pardon me, could you repeat that last sentence?”

When to Use “Pardon Me”

When bumping into someone
Asking someone to repeat themselves
Interrupting politely
Correcting yourself politely
Requesting attention

Spoken vs Written: Mostly spoken; rarely in formal writing.

Formal vs Informal: More formal than “oops” or “my bad.”

Is It Professional or Polite?

Polite? ✔️ Yes
Professional? ❌ No (in most casual business contexts)

Example (Business):
“I beg your pardon, may I clarify your point?”

Politeness vs Professionalism: While polite, pardon me can feel outdated or stiff in modern workplaces.

Pros and Cons of Using “Pardon Me”

Pros:

Simple and natural
Friendly tone
Widely understood
Easy to understand

Cons:

Too formal for work
Overused in conversation
Limited emotional range
Not suitable for casual writing

“The right tone makes your English sound professional and confident.”

Other Ways to Say “Pardon Me” (With Examples)

These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations. Use them according to tone, context, and audience.

Phrase: Excuse me
- Meaning: Polite interruption or request for attention
- Explanation: Most common alternative for any context
- Example: “Excuse me, could you pass the salt?”
- Best Use: Everyday / Professional
- Worst Use: Aggressive / Rude
- Tone: Polite, neutral, friendly
- Context Variability: casual / professional / spoken
Phrase: I beg your pardon
- Meaning: Formal apology or request to repeat
- Explanation: Slightly old-fashioned, but highly polite
- Example: “I beg your pardon, I didn’t catch your name.”
- Best Use: Formal / Professional
- Worst Use: Casual / Text
- Tone: Formal, polite, respectful
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Sorry
- Meaning: Casual apology
- Explanation: Friendly and short, suitable for minor mistakes
- Example: “Sorry, I stepped on your foot.”
- Best Use: Casual / Everyday
- Worst Use: Formal / Business
- Tone: Casual, approachable, friendly
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: My apologies
- Meaning: Formal apology
- Explanation: Professional and neutral
- Example: “My apologies for the late reply.”
- Best Use: Professional / Email
- Worst Use: Informal chat
- Tone: Formal, polite, neutral
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Forgive me
- Meaning: Asking pardon politely
- Explanation: Slightly dramatic, polite in formal settings
- Example: “Forgive me, I didn’t see your message.”
- Best Use: Formal / Written
- Worst Use: Casual conversation
- Tone: Polite, respectful, formal
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Pardon
- Meaning: Polite request for repetition
- Explanation: Short, direct, neutral
- Example: “Pardon? Could you repeat that?”
- Best Use: Everyday / Spoken
- Worst Use: Email / Text
- Tone: Neutral, polite, brief
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Whoops
- Meaning: Minor mistake acknowledgment
- Explanation: Casual and playful
- Example: “Whoops, I spilled coffee.”
- Best Use: Casual / Friends
- Worst Use: Formal / Business
- Tone: Casual, friendly, informal
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Oops
- Meaning: Minor error or slip
- Explanation: Very informal
- Example: “Oops, I forgot my keys.”
- Best Use: Informal / Daily life
- Worst Use: Professional / Email
- Tone: Casual, playful, informal
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Sorry about that
- Meaning: Casual apology
- Explanation: Slightly more polite than “oops”
- Example: “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
- Best Use: Casual / Semi-formal
- Worst Use: Formal writing
- Tone: Friendly, polite, casual
- Context Variability: casual / professional
Phrase: My bad
- Meaning: Informal acknowledgment of fault
- Explanation: Friendly, mostly spoken
- Example: “My bad, I forgot to call you.”
- Best Use: Informal / Friends
- Worst Use: Formal / Professional
- Tone: Casual, humorous, informal
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Allow me to interrupt
- Meaning: Polite professional interruption
- Explanation: Ideal in meetings
- Example: “Allow me to interrupt, I have a question.”
- Best Use: Professional / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Chat
- Tone: Formal, polite, respectful
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: May I interject?
- Meaning: Polite way to speak up
- Explanation: Very professional
- Example: “May I interject with a suggestion?”
- Best Use: Business / Presentations
- Worst Use: Informal / Casual
- Tone: Professional, polite, formal
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Could I clarify?
- Meaning: Polite request to explain or correct
- Explanation: Professional and respectful
- Example: “Could I clarify your last point?”
- Best Use: Professional / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Formal, polite, professional
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Hey, excuse me
- Meaning: Casual attention-getter
- Explanation: Friendly, approachable
- Example: “Hey, excuse me, can you help me?”
- Best Use: Casual / Street
- Worst Use: Formal / Boardroom
- Tone: Friendly, casual, approachable
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Whoa, pardon
- Meaning: Polite surprise reaction
- Explanation: Informal, shows shock
- Example: “Whoa, pardon, I didn’t expect that!”
- Best Use: Informal / Friends
- Worst Use: Formal / Email
- Tone: Casual, surprised, informal
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Sorry to bother you
- Meaning: Polite attention-getter
- Explanation: Professional or social
- Example: “Sorry to bother you, but I need help.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal / Professional
- Worst Use: Aggressive / Informal
- Tone: Polite, considerate, neutral
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Excuse my interruption
- Meaning: Polite way to interject
- Explanation: Professional
- Example: “Excuse my interruption, may I add something?”
- Best Use: Professional / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Street
- Tone: Formal, polite, professional
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: I didn’t mean to interrupt
- Meaning: Apology for breaking in
- Explanation: Softens your interruption
- Example: “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have a question.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Humor
- Tone: Polite, apologetic, professional
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Please excuse me
- Meaning: Polite excuse
- Explanation: Slightly formal
- Example: “Please excuse me for arriving late.”
- Best Use: Professional / Social
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Polite, formal, respectful
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: I’m sorry for that
- Meaning: Formal apology
- Explanation: Neutral, works in writing or speaking
- Example: “I’m sorry for that mistake, I’ll correct it.”
- Best Use: Professional / Email
- Worst Use: Casual / Humor
- Tone: Formal, neutral, polite
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Excuse my oversight
- Meaning: Professional apology for mistake
- Explanation: Used in business writing
- Example: “Excuse my oversight in the report.”
- Best Use: Professional / Written
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Formal, neutral, professional
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Apologies
- Meaning: Short formal apology
- Explanation: Concise, professional
- Example: “Apologies for the delay.”
- Best Use: Professional / Email
- Worst Use: Casual / Street
- Tone: Formal, polite, neutral
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: I’m terribly sorry
- Meaning: Strong apology
- Explanation: Expresses seriousness
- Example: “I’m terribly sorry for the confusion.”
- Best Use: Formal / Serious
- Worst Use: Casual / Light
- Tone: Formal, serious, apologetic
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Pardon my language
- Meaning: Apologize for swearing or harsh words
- Explanation: Polite, context-specific
- Example: “Pardon my language, that was frustrating.”
- Best Use: Casual / Semi-formal
- Worst Use: Professional / Formal
- Tone: Informal, polite, humorous
- Context Variability: casual / spoken
Phrase: Excuse my bluntness
- Meaning: Apologize for being direct
- Explanation: Professional yet polite
- Example: “Excuse my bluntness, but this needs work.”
- Best Use: Professional / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Humor
- Tone: Polite, formal, candid
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Pardon the interruption
- Meaning: Polite way to interject
- Explanation: Formal meetings or emails
- Example: “Pardon the interruption, I have a quick update.”
- Best Use: Professional / Meetings
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Formal, polite, professional
- Context Variability: professional / spoken
Phrase: Excuse my tardiness
- Meaning: Polite apology for being late
- Explanation: Formal or professional contexts
- Example: “Excuse my tardiness, the traffic was heavy.”
- Best Use: Professional / Social
- Worst Use: Casual / Street
- Tone: Polite, formal, professional
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Please forgive me
- Meaning: Polite request for forgiveness
- Explanation: Formal and respectful
- Example: “Please forgive me for the oversight.”
- Best Use: Formal / Written
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Formal, respectful, polite
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Excuse my forgetfulness
- Meaning: Polite acknowledgment of memory lapse
- Explanation: Slightly formal
- Example: “Excuse my forgetfulness, I didn’t note that down.”
- Best Use: Professional / Written
- Worst Use: Casual / Humor
- Tone: Polite, professional, neutral
- Context Variability: professional / written
Phrase: Apologies for the inconvenience
- Meaning: Formal apology for any trouble caused
- Explanation: Very professional
- Example: “Apologies for the inconvenience caused by the delay.”
- Best Use: Professional / Customer service
- Worst Use: Casual / Friends
- Tone: Formal, polite, professional
- Context Variability: professional / written

“Casual or formal, context always matters in polite expressions.”

Mini Quiz / Self-Check

You bump into a colleague accidentally. Which phrase is best?
- a) My bad
- b) Excuse me ✅
- c) Whoops
In a formal meeting, you want to clarify a point. Which phrase?
- a) May I interject? ✅
- b) Sorry
- c) My bad
You didn’t hear someone. What’s best?
- a) Pardon? ✅
- b) Whoa, pardon
- c) My bad
You forgot a deadline in a professional email. Choose the phrase:
- a) Excuse my tardiness ✅
- b) Oops
- c) Whoops

Comparison Table: Top Alternatives

Phrase	Tone	Best Use
Excuse me	Polite, neutral	Casual / Professional
I beg your pardon	Formal, respectful	Formal / Professional
Sorry	Casual, friendly	Everyday / Casual
My apologies	Formal, neutral	Professional / Email
Forgive me	Formal, polite	Formal / Written
Pardon	Neutral, polite	Casual / Spoken
Oops	Casual, playful	Informal / Friends
May I interject?	Formal, polite	Professional / Meetings
Excuse my interruption	Formal, polite	Professional / Meetings
Apologies for the inconvenience	Formal, professional	Customer service / Email

FAQs

1. What is another way to say pardon me politely?

Excuse me, I beg your pardon, or my apologies.

2. Can I use “pardon me” in professional emails?

Rarely. More formal alternatives like “my apologies” or “excuse my oversight” are better.

3. Is “oops” an acceptable alternative?

Only in informal settings with friends or family.

4. What’s the difference between “excuse me” and “pardon me”?

“Excuse me” is more universal; “pardon me” is slightly formal and old-fashioned.

5. Are there phrases to politely interrupt someone?

Yes: “May I interject?” or “Excuse my interruption.”

Conclusion

Learning other ways to say pardon me improves fluency, confidence, and professionalism. Choosing the right phrase for the context ensures you sound polite, approachable, and culturally aware.

Practice daily by substituting alternatives in conversations. Notice tone, audience, and situation to express yourself naturally in English.