apology, excuse, pardon

apology, excuse, pardon
An apology is an admission of discourtesy or error together with an expression of regret. An excuse is a statement made or reason given for being released from blame. An apology accepts guilt and seeks to make amends; an excuse seeks to shift blame, deny guilt, and avoid censure: "Please accept my apology for neglecting to send you an invitation." "His excuse for being late is that his alarm clock failed to go off." Does one correctly say "Excuse me" or "Pardon me"? The former is a weaker expression than the latter, which implies guilt and a request for forgiveness."Excuse me" is the correct term to use when asking someone to be allowed to pass or to overlook a minor matter."Excuse me" should be used many times more often than "Pardon me," which is usually an expression of mistaken gentility and affectation.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • apology — See apology, excuse, pardon …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • excuse — See apology, excuse, pardon …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • pardon — See apology, excuse, pardon …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • excuse — vb Excuse, condone, pardon, forgive, remit are comparable when meaning not to exact punishment or redress for (an offense) or from (an offender). In polite use excuse, pardon, and forgive usually suggest a hope that one is not annoyed. Both… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Excuse — Ex*cuse , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Excused}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Excusing}.] [OE. escusen, cusen, OF. escuser, excuser, F. excuser, fr. L. excusare; ex out + causa cause, causari to plead. See {Cause}.] 1. To free from accusation, or the imputation of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • excuse me — An expression used as an apology for any slight or apparent impropriety, esp as a request to pass, leave, interrupt or catch someone s attention or for contradicting a statement that has been made, or (US) when correcting oneself • • • Main Entry …   Useful english dictionary

  • apology — apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi denote the reason or reasons offered in explanation or defense of something (as an act, a policy, or a view). In general use apology implies that one has been, at least apparently, in the wrong; it… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pardon — [pärd′ n] vt. [ME pardonen < OFr pardoner < LL perdonare < L per , through, quite (see PER ) + donare, to give: see DATE1] 1. to release (a person) from further punishment for a crime 2. to cancel or not exact penalty for (an offense);… …   English World dictionary

  • Pardon my French — or Excuse my French is a common English language phrase ostensibly disguising profanity as French. The phrase is uttered in an attempt to excuse the user of profanity or curses in the presence of those offended by it under the pretense of the… …   Wikipedia

  • excuse — [ek skyo͞oz′, ikskyo͞oz′; ] for n. [, ekskyo͞os′] vt. excused, excusing [ME excusen < OFr escuser & L excusare, to free from a charge < L ex , from + causa, a charge: see CAUSE] 1. to try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate 2. to …   English World dictionary

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