beg your indulgence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beg your indulgence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to request patience or understanding from someone, often in a formal context. Example: "As I present my findings, I beg your indulgence for any errors that may have occurred during the research process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"What," the king inquires, "is the goddam holdup?" "I beg your indulgence, Majesty," the steward says.

The New Yorker

"I beg your indulgence on the question" was his way of stating "not palatable for shareholders at this time".

TechCrunch

I have identified a few common problems with public toilets, and I beg your indulgence as I list what are probably your own top complaints.

TechCrunch

However, I beg your indulgence in this one case.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In opera, there's always somebody in a suit coming out in front of the curtain to say that the tenor has a sore throat tonight and begs your indulgence.

The New Yorker

Your humble correspondent begs your indulgence for this flu-fuelled stream-of-consciousness post, but deadlines wait for no virus, so needs must I expel the contents of my febrile mind onto this screen and thence to yours.

TechCrunch

"I BEG YOUR PARDON?" replies Nick.

The Guardian

Beg your pardon?

The Guardian - Books

Beg Your pardon?

The New Yorker

I beg your pardon.

The New York Times

"Beg your pardon?" says Lemmy.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beg your indulgence" in formal settings where you anticipate a delay, require extra patience, or are about to present something potentially complex or lengthy. It sets a respectful tone.

Common error

Avoid using "beg your indulgence" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place and even humorous in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beg your indulgence" functions as a polite and formal request for patience, understanding, or forgiveness. It is typically used when the speaker anticipates a potential inconvenience or is about to present something complex, seeking the listener's leniency. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beg your indulgence" is a grammatically correct and formally polite expression used to request patience, understanding, or forgiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for formal contexts such as presentations or professional communications. While effective in such settings, it's best to avoid using it in casual conversation where a less formal expression would be more appropriate. As evidenced by the analysed sources, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as formal business communications, indicating its prevalence in professional discourse. Alternative phrases such as "I request your understanding" or "Kindly bear with me" can provide similar meaning in different tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I request your understanding

This is a more direct and less embellished way of asking for comprehension and acceptance.

Kindly bear with me

This option is less formal but still polite, asking for patience during a potentially difficult situation.

Grant me your understanding

Directly asks the listener to provide their understanding of the situation or person

I crave your forbearance

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a need for patience due to a specific shortcoming or delay.

I solicit your patience

This option is quite formal and directly requests patience, often used when anticipating a disruption or inconvenience.

Please forgive the delay

This clearly acknowledges a delay and asks for forgiveness regarding it.

Please excuse my lapse

This phrase specifically acknowledges a mistake or oversight and requests forgiveness.

I hope for your clemency

Implies asking for leniency, usually for a mistake committed by speaker.

I seek your leniency

A formal request for mercy or reduced punishment, suggesting a more serious situation than simply needing patience.

Pardon my presumption

This is used when the speaker thinks their previous action was inappropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "beg your indulgence" in a sentence?

You can use "beg your indulgence" to politely ask for patience or understanding, as in "I "beg your indulgence" as I explain this complicated matter". It's suitable for formal situations.

What's a less formal alternative to "beg your indulgence"?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "please bear with me", "I hope you'll understand", or "thanks for your patience" instead of ""beg your indulgence"".

When is it appropriate to use "beg your indulgence"?

"Beg your indulgence" is appropriate when you need to ask for someone's patience or understanding, especially if you anticipate causing an inconvenience. It's most suited for formal settings like presentations or formal writing.

What's the difference between "beg your pardon" and "beg your indulgence"?

"Beg your pardon" is used to ask someone to repeat something or to express disagreement politely, while ""beg your indulgence"" is used to request patience or understanding. They serve different purposes in communication.