Is it okay to say pardon?
"Pardon" is a classic example of trying to sound upper class when you're really not. Keep it simple and just say "what?" "I beg your pardon", however, is fine.
But the thing about 'pardon' is, it is certainly polite and respectful – which is not to be underestimated.
Some common synonyms of pardon are condone, excuse, and forgive.
Pardon is a very formal way of saying sorry. It is used to say sorry, to forgive someone for bad or wrong behavior.
Pardon is definitely more polite. My kids tend to say 'excuse me'. We say 'sorry' or 'what'. Pardon sounds a bit stilted to use at home.
Used as a polite way to ask someone to forgive you.
Some American speakers say 'Pardon me'. 'Pardon me! ' said a man who had bumped into her. British speakers sometimes say 'Pardon?
3 absolution, remission. 6 acquit, clear. 7 forgive, absolve, condone, overlook.
Pardon my French, or excuse my French, is an apology for the use of profanity; the expression dates from 1895. Pardon is derived from the old French pardoner meaning, “to grant, forgive.”
The word pardon often occurs in the phrases “Pardon me” and “I beg your pardon.” (While “I beg your pardon” literally means “I request your forgiveness,” it's used to indicate that the speaker did not hear what was just said.) Outside of these everyday phrases, pardon is typically used in formal or legal situations.
What is more polite excuse me or pardon me?
"A server interrupting a conversation to take an order, for instance, would use the term 'pardon me' to do so." Diners are instead advised to say "excuse me"—and nothing else—when they need to leave the table or get a server's attention.
You say 'I beg your pardon' or 'I do beg your pardon' as a way of apologizing for accidentally doing something wrong, such as disturbing someone or making a mistake. I was impolite and I do beg your pardon.
Excuse, Pardon, Forgiveness. We make excuse, for an apparent fault, or, slight offence: we ask pardon, for a real fault, or, when the offence is greater. We implore forgiveness of our sins.
used to say that you are sorry for doing something wrong or for being rude.
Pardon me is a bit more formal than Excuse me, I'm sorry, and I apologize. Use the sentence pattern Pardon me for + ACTION when you want to be extra polite or if you are in a formal situation like a business meeting.
Some common synonyms of beg are adjure, beseech, entreat, implore, importune, and supplicate. While all these words mean "to ask urgently," beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking.
You would reply with "That's OK" or (in case you were rude), "I'm sorry".
The phrase was originally used in England when someone used a French word, when speaking to someone who may not have had the social standing to understand French. Due to the vast history of conflict between the French and the English, “pardon my French” soon became a dig at the French!
Generally, a pardon is an expression of forgiveness. A pardon can help eliminate some of the consequences of a conviction. Under Department of Justice rules, there is a five-year waiting period before a person can apply for pardon. The waiting period begins when a person is released from confinement.
used to say 'sorry' after you have done something rude, for example after burping (= letting air from your stomach out of your mouth) (Definition of pardon from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
What is pardon in modern English?
Pardon is a verb which means to allow as a courtesy. Pardon me asks the offended or wronged person to excuse your mistake. Pardon used alone is a shortened form of “I beg your pardon.” In that instance, pardon is a noun that means forgiveness or tolerance.
Although the Supreme Court's opinion stated that a pardon carries "an imputation of guilt and acceptance of a confession of it," this was part of the Court's dictum for the case. Whether the acceptance of a pardon constitutes an admission of guilt by the recipient is disputed. In Lorance v.
It does not signify innocence. It does, however, remove civil disabilities – e.g., restrictions on the right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury – imposed because of the conviction for which pardon is sought, and should lessen the stigma arising from the conviction.
used for saying 'sorry' when you have made a mistake or done something wrong: I beg your pardon - I thought you were speaking to me. used to show that you strongly disagree or that you are angry about something that someone has said: I beg your pardon, young man - I don't want to hear you speak like that again!
- Say you're sorry. ...
- Say what it is that you're apologizing for. ...
- Show you understand why it was bad, take ownership, and show that you understand why you caused hurt.
- Don't make excuses.
- Say why it won't happen again. ...
- If it's relevant, make reparations: "I'm going to pay for the dry cleaning.
I (want to) sincerely apologize. A formal and polite way to say you're sorry. I'd like to apologize for how I reacted/behaved. Apologize in a formal manner or for something very serious.
'Pardon' is from Old French and has been used in English since the middle of the 15th century.
We use these phrases mainly to be polite. For example, you can use one of these expressions if you accidentally bump into someone or push them, or if you want to get past someone. We also say “Pardon me!” (or the alternatives) when you didn't hear what someone said. “Pardon me!”
The President can grant a pardon to a person who was convicted in a United States District Court, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, or a military court-martial. Generally, a pardon is an expression of forgiveness. A pardon can help eliminate some of the consequences of a conviction.
pardon. 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or President to forgive a person convicted of a crime, thus removing any remaining penalties or punishments and preventing any new prosecution of the person for the crime for which the pardon was given.
Why do we use pardon?
You use pardon to show that you didn't hear or understand someone. "Could you close the door, please?" "Pardon!" "Close the door, please." You use pardon when you have made a rude sound like a burp.
I beg your pardon! in American English
a polite formula of apology, disagreement, etc.
used for saying 'sorry' when you have made a mistake or done something wrong: I beg your pardon - I thought you were speaking to me. used to show that you strongly disagree or that you are angry about something that someone has said: I beg your pardon, young man - I don't want to hear you speak like that again!
References
- https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/essential-british-english/pardon
- https://www.dictionary.com/e/pardon-my-french/
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pardon-me
- https://www.italki.com/en/post/question-330772
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beg
- https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pedants_corner/441141-saying-pardon-or-what
- https://www.npr.org/2023/01/25/1150972343/how-to-say-sorry-give-good-apology
- https://simple.wiktionary.org/wiki/pardon
- https://www.wordreference.com/englishusage/pardon
- https://english-at-home.com/phrases-culture/
- https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/a22616582/dinner-party-etiquette-pardon-me/
- https://www.justice.gov/pardon/apply-pardon
- https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004892937.0001.001/1:7.45?rgn=div2;view=fulltext
- https://concisewriting.com.au/why-do-people-say-pardon-my-french/
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/i-beg-your-pardon
- https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/i-beg-your-pardon
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/i-beg-your-pardon
- https://www.lingoneo.org/learn-english/page/phrasebook/pardon-me-for-cutting-ahead-pardon-me-for-cutting-ahead/page-1711-ap1_3
- https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/pardon
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon
- https://www.newsdle.com/blog/the-origin-of-pardon-my-french
- https://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=1443
- https://www.berlitz.com/blog/how-to-say-sorry-english
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/other-words-for-sorry/
- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pardon
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdick_v._United_States
- https://english.eagetutor.com/spoken-english-grammar/difference-between-sorry-excuse-me-pardon
- https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/pardon
- https://www.tatler.com/article/sorry-what-pardon-etiquette