excuse me

USAGE SUMMARY

"excuse me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a polite phrase to introduce a request for help or information, or to politely interrupt someone who is speaking. For example: "Excuse me, could you please tell me where the nearest grocery store is?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And so on.. Excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me excuse me EXCUSE ME EXCUSE ME EXCUSE ME!!!

HuffPost

TRUMP: Excuse me, excuse me.

The Washington Post

Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.

The New York Times

Excuse me, excuse me.

The Washington Post

(Excuse me?)'.

Stanford University

PRESIDENT: Excuse me, excuse me.

The Washington Post

Excuse me, excuse me Miss....".

The New York Times - Books

"Now, please excuse me.

The New Yorker

"Excuse me, Begum Sahib.

The New Yorker

"Excuse me, your honor.

The New York Times

Coffee: Excuse me?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excuse me" to politely interrupt someone, especially in formal settings or when you need to correct a misunderstanding.

Common error

While "excuse me" is polite, avoid overusing it in informal conversations; simpler terms like "sorry" or a brief interjection may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excuse me" primarily functions as an interjection used to politely gain someone's attention, request passage, or express a mild apology. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a versatile tool for navigating social interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excuse me" is a highly versatile phrase used for politely gaining attention, requesting passage, or offering a mild apology. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage make it suitable for both formal and informal situations. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, its presence in academic and business settings demonstrates its broad applicability. Remember to use "excuse me" judiciously, opting for simpler terms in extremely casual scenarios, ensuring your communication remains both effective and courteous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pardon me

Similar use for gaining attention or interrupting politely, but can sometimes sound more formal or old-fashioned.

I beg your pardon

More formal and can indicate offense or disbelief in addition to seeking clarification.

sorry

A general apology or expression of regret; can also be used to get someone's attention.

I'm sorry

More emphatic apology than just 'sorry'.

I apologize

Formal expression of apology.

if you'll excuse me

Used when leaving a situation or conversation, indicating departure.

may I be excused

A formal way to ask permission to leave.

forgive me

Asks for forgiveness, often for a minor transgression.

ahem

Non-verbal way to gain attention.

mind if I...

Used to politely ask permission to do something that might inconvenience someone.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "excuse me"?

"Excuse me" is appropriate when you need to get someone's attention, interrupt politely, ask someone to move, or apologize for a minor inconvenience. It is a versatile phrase suitable for various social situations.

What's the difference between "excuse me" and "pardon me"?

While both phrases are used to gain attention or ask for repetition, "pardon me" can sometimes sound more formal or old-fashioned compared to "excuse me". "Excuse me" is generally more versatile.

Is "excuse me" considered formal or informal?

"Excuse me" is generally considered polite and appropriate for both formal and informal situations. Its neutrality makes it a safe choice in most contexts.

What are some alternative ways to say "excuse me" when asking someone to move?

Instead of "excuse me", you could say "may I get through", "pardon me", or simply a polite "coming through", depending on the situation and level of formality.