| Idx | 2061 |
|---|---|
| Keyword | pardon |
| Type of Sentence | ✗ |
| Error Sentence | I beg your pardon, but I was very busy and couldn't spare the time. |
| Correct Sentence | I'm sorry, but I was very busy and couldn't spare the time. |
| Cloze Error Sentence | [[I beg your pardon]], but I was very busy and couldn't spare the time. |
| Cloze Sentence | [[I'm sorry]], but I was very busy and couldn't spare the time. |
| Cloze Answer | I'm sorry |
| Choices | I'm sorry | I beg your pardon |
| Explanation | I beg your pardon is used (1) to apologize to a stranger because you have bumped into them by accident, sat in their seat by mistake, etc: 'I beg your pardon. I didn't know the tabel was reserved.' (2) to politely ask someone to repeat what they have said: 'Does this bus go to Marble Arch?' 'I beg your pardon?' 'This bus, does it go to Marble Arch?' (3) when someone has said something that makes you feel surprised, shocked, angry etc: 'Who's that man with the long nose?' 'I beg your pardon! That happens to be my husband.' Note that in formal situations you can use excuse/forgive me instead of I'm sorry: 'Please excuse me for taking so long to answer your letter.' pardon (formal) = forgive: 'I'm sure they will pardon the occasional mistake.' excuse = give someone permission to stay away from school, work etc, or leave a classroom, meeting etc: 'Can I be excused from swimming today please? I've got a cold.' |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: I pardon beg late forgive was/please marble arch
Previous card: Paper write clean sheet refers material uncountable noun
Up to card list: Longman Dictionary of Common Errors