awful sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awful sorry" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and may be considered colloquial.
You can use it when expressing a strong sense of regret or apology, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "I'm awful sorry for missing your birthday party; I completely lost track of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Ah'm awful sorry," she said, "but it rained in on that picture of your mother".

The New Yorker

"Gee, I'm awful sorry about this," sneers Scott, in one of his more sparkling attempts at humor, "but you're all sentenced to death". Perhaps in homage to "Rambo," a film that actually looks good in comparison with this one, Mr. Van Damme flaunts his well-oiled musculature as conspicuously as possible and endures a string of grueling physical ordeals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Being young and excited, and perhaps having had difficulty in tying our black ties, we were horribly late for some celebratory banquet, and I asked the old gentleman with my best British diffidence -- frightfully sorry, awful cheek, do forgive me, etc. -- if he could possibly allow us to jump the queue and take the next cab.

The New York Times

Awful sad.

The Guardian - Books

American pop band We The Kings, or rather their record label S-Curve, have teamed up with Israeli startup Interlude (earlier coverage) to produce a fancy interactive video that blends familiar gameplay with video sequences and god-awful music (sorry, We The Kings aficionados).

TechCrunch

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry sorry sorry.

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

BBC

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry.

HuffPost

I feel awful and am truly sorry.

Independent

It was awful and I'm sorry.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awful sorry" in informal settings to convey a heartfelt but casual apology. Be mindful of your audience, as it may not be appropriate in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "awful sorry" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more standard expressions of apology like "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awful sorry" functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective to express a strong feeling of regret or apology. Ludwig indicates it's acceptable but informal. It modifies the degree to which someone is sorry, making the apology sound more heartfelt, albeit casually.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "awful sorry" is an informal expression used to convey a strong sense of regret or apology. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct but best suited for casual contexts. While the phrase appears in various news and media outlets, it's infrequent and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. Alternatives like "terribly sorry" or "sincerely apologize" are more appropriate for such situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly sorry

Similar in meaning, but uses a different intensifier, making it a more standard expression of apology.

extremely sorry

Emphasizes the depth of regret, using a more formal intensifier.

very sorry

A common and versatile expression of apology, suitable for many contexts.

so very sorry

Adds emphasis through repetition, making it slightly more emphatic than "very sorry".

deeply regretful

A more formal and profound expression of remorse.

sincerely apologetic

Highlights the genuine nature of the apology.

truly remorseful

Indicates a heartfelt sense of guilt and regret.

bitterly regretful

Implies a strong feeling of disappointment and regret.

painfully sorry

Emphasizes the emotional discomfort caused by the situation.

incredibly regretful

Uses a different intensifier to convey the magnitude of regret.

FAQs

What does "awful sorry" mean?

The phrase "awful sorry" is an informal way of saying that one is very or extremely sorry. It's used to express a strong feeling of regret or apology, typically in casual conversation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "awful sorry"?

Yes, it's grammatically acceptable, though informal. Ludwig AI indicates that it's usable in written English, but it's best suited for casual contexts rather than formal writing.

What can I say instead of "awful sorry"?

You can use alternatives like "terribly sorry", "extremely sorry", or "very sorry", depending on the level of formality you wish to convey.

When should I use "awful sorry" versus "I sincerely apologize"?

Use "awful sorry" in casual settings with friends or family when a more relaxed tone is appropriate. "I sincerely apologize" is better suited for formal situations, such as business communications or addressing someone you don't know well.