Forgive me for asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Forgive me for asking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to politely apologize for making a request or inquiry that may be considered intrusive or sensitive. Example: "Forgive me for asking, but could you share your thoughts on the matter?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Forgive me for asking two questions that always go with the MacArthur announcements, but what went through your mind when you heard you had won, and how do you plan to spend the money?

The New York Times

Jones opened by asking: "Forgive me for asking a simple question... what on earth was it about?

The Guardian

So forgive me for asking, but are there no tax breaks or zoning benefits for a pillar of journalism, the way there are for churches or the Chelsea district or Madison Square Garden?

The New York Times

MR: [laughs] Forgive me for asking this, but here goes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"So, forgive me for being forward and for asking this so bluntly, but what is keeping you from telling your kids?" I honesty love it when others ask me this; it's just a question I have trouble asking myself.

Huffington Post

I hope you'll forgive me for doing too little and asking you to join me in doing too little.

Huffington Post

Though forgive me for pointing out that Ehren, who asked that I not use her full name, initially tried to fib her way out of the awkwardness by saying she did it for a Whopper.

The New York Times

In a letter from Iraq in September 2005 to Sonia Murray, an aunt who helped raise him, Sergeant Gaskins asked, "Will God forgive me for the people I've killed?" Sergeant Gaskins, who first went to Iraq in 2003, transferred to Fort Drum, home of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, after his second deployment, and he said he sought help at the base for his problems.

The New York Times

"I would have liked to have asked her to forgive me for not being brave enough to keep her by my side," she said.

The New York Times

"I'm sorry," she said to him, and he said, "I'm sorry, too," and she asked, "Can you forgive me for running away?" and he said, "Alice.

The New Yorker

"He said, 'When I pray again, I'll ask Allah to forgive me for lying to you, and I won't lie to you again.' " Mr. Muse was charged with five counts on Tuesday, the most serious of which was "the crime of piracy as defined by the law of nations," and after the judge declared that he was an adult, he was ordered held without bail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Forgive me for asking" to politely preface a question that might seem intrusive or personal. It softens the impact of potentially sensitive inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using "Forgive me for asking" before every question. Overuse can make you seem excessively apologetic or insincere; use it sparingly for truly sensitive inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Forgive me for asking" functions as an apology or a polite preface to a question. It softens the impact of the inquiry, particularly when the question might be considered intrusive or sensitive. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Forgive me for asking" serves as a polite introduction to potentially sensitive questions, commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and utility in softening potentially intrusive inquiries. While versatile, judicious use is recommended to avoid seeming overly apologetic. Alternatives like "I hope you don't mind my asking" provide similar functions with varying degrees of formality. Understanding its function and context ensures effective and considerate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pardon my asking

A more concise and slightly more formal way to apologize for asking a question.

I hope you don't mind my asking

Replaces "forgive me" with a more direct expression of hoping not to cause offense.

Excuse me for inquiring

Uses "inquiring" instead of "asking", suggesting a more formal or investigative approach.

Is it okay if I ask

Checks for permission before proceeding with the question.

With all due respect, may I ask

Adds a level of formality and deference before asking a potentially sensitive question.

I hope it's alright to ask

Seeks reassurance that asking the question is acceptable.

If I may be so bold as to ask

Acknowledges the potential audacity of the question being asked.

I trust you won't take offense if I ask

Directly addresses the potential for causing offense with the question.

I hesitate to ask, but

Highlights the speaker's reluctance to ask the question.

Please don't think I'm being nosy, but

Specifically addresses the concern of being perceived as intrusive.

FAQs

How can I use "Forgive me for asking" in a sentence?

"Forgive me for asking", but could you clarify your earlier statement?" is a polite way to introduce a potentially probing question.

What's a less formal way to say "Forgive me for asking"?

Less formal alternatives include "I hope you don't mind my asking" or simply "Can I ask?" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to apologize before asking a question?

No, it's not always necessary. Use phrases like "Forgive me for asking" when the question might be perceived as intrusive, personal, or potentially offensive. Otherwise, a direct question is usually fine.

What's the difference between "Forgive me for asking" and "Excuse me for asking"?

"Forgive me for asking" implies a deeper sense of apology, suggesting the question might be particularly sensitive. "Excuse me for asking" is generally more casual and used for less sensitive inquiries.