Pardon me for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Pardon me for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a polite way to ask for forgiveness or to excuse oneself for a particular action or statement. Example: "Pardon me for interrupting, but I have a quick question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

News of the episodes spread after Mr. Kelly's wife, Katia Kelly, wrote about them on her neighborhood blog, Pardon Me for Asking.

The New York Times

But she didn't know me, so she said, 'Oh, nice day to take pictures.' And I said, 'Yeah, sure, I take them for my blog, Pardon Me for Asking.' And we had this pleasant little conversation.

The New Yorker

About ten years ago, when she was in her mid-forties, she began writing a blog about the neighborhood, and the changes she saw in it, called Pardon Me for Asking (tagline: "News from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, and Beyond..."...

The New Yorker

Deep"; "Here lies John Yeast; Pardon Me for Not Rising"; "Ted N. Buried"; and "Dracula Lies Here - Fangs for the Memories".

WikiHow

"Pardon me for living, I'm sure".

Independent

Pardon me for not getting excited, but we've been here before.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Pardon me, if for a moment, I take the religious cries that "the sky is falling" to be a bit melodramatic.

Huffington Post

The man, for instance, pardon me, fucked me and everything, for the money.

British Medical Journal

So pardon me if I vote for Sanders because I'd rather "find the guts to take on the big money" -- as he put it during the Brooklyn debate last week -- via his "small money" campaign, whose 7 million donations have averaged $27 each.

Huffington Post

"I'm praying for you... .. Pardon me if I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Huffington Post

For this and other failings, from the sublime to the silly, she asks God to pardon her: "Forgive me for the constant sinning between my legs.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Pardon me for" when you want to be polite and somewhat formal, especially when interrupting or disagreeing with someone. It can soften potentially offensive statements.

Common error

Avoid using "Pardon me for" in casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Opt for simpler phrases like "Sorry" or "Excuse me" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Pardon me for" functions as a polite interjection or preface. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to request forgiveness or indulgence before saying or doing something that might be considered intrusive or offensive. It softens the impact of a potential disruption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Pardon me for" is a versatile phrase used to politely introduce potentially disruptive or offensive statements or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While applicable across various contexts, it tends to be more common in neutral and slightly formal settings, such as news media and professional communications. When choosing an alternative, consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. Overusing it in informal settings may come across as unnatural or even sarcastic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excuse me for

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering a slightly less formal tone.

Forgive me for

This alternative emphasizes seeking forgiveness, potentially carrying a slightly heavier tone.

I apologize for

This alternative is a more direct and formal expression of apology.

Please excuse my

This alternative requests excusal for something the speaker is doing or about to do.

I hope you'll excuse

This alternative expresses hope for understanding and forgiveness, softening the request.

I trust you'll forgive

This alternative shows confidence in being forgiven for a transgression.

With all due respect

This alternative prefaces a potentially dissenting opinion, seeking to mitigate offense.

I beg your pardon

This alternative is a formal way of expressing apology or disagreement.

Sorry for

This is a shorter, more casual apology.

My apologies for

This alternative offers a more formal and direct apology.

FAQs

How to use "Pardon me for" in a sentence?

"Pardon me for" is typically used to politely preface an interruption, disagreement, or admission. For example, "Pardon me for interrupting, but I have a question" or "Pardon me for saying so, but I disagree".

What can I say instead of "Pardon me for"?

You can use alternatives like "excuse me for", "forgive me for", or "I apologize for", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Pardon me for interrupting" or "Excuse me for interrupting"?

Both "Pardon me for interrupting" and "Excuse me for interrupting" are correct. "Pardon me for" is generally considered slightly more formal than "excuse me for".

What's the difference between "Pardon me for" and "Sorry for"?

"Pardon me for" is often used proactively to seek indulgence before an action or statement, while "sorry for" is typically used to express regret after an action or statement.