please excuse me

USAGE SUMMARY

"please excuse me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to politely ask for forgiveness or pardon for something that one has done wrong. For example, "Please excuse me for not making it to the meeting on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please excuse me and goodbye.

The Guardian

MR. FERRER -- Please, excuse me.

The New York Times

DR. SIEMERS: Please excuse me.

Yale University

If you have complains please excuse me, etc.

The New Yorker

Please excuse me while I go and remind my older son to practise his violin.

Independent

Please excuse me if I seem underwhelmed by the latest innovation in customer service.

Harvard Business Review

Please excuse me if I'm a little late arriving to my 4 30PM office hours.

Princeton University

Please excuse me while I build this shrine to the new most important thing in my life.

The New York Times

Would you please excuse me?" She dashes out of the room, returning a little later, restored to her chatty self.

The Guardian - Film

Please excuse me if I seem a bit breathless, but the experience I had when I first saw the film (in 2-D, no less) shocked me.

The New York Times - Science

Please excuse me while I suggest to the boiler man that he replace the infernal contraption with a time machine and set it for three months' time.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please excuse me" when you need to politely interrupt someone or when you've made a minor mistake and want to express regret. Tailor the phrase to the specific situation for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "please excuse me" excessively for every minor inconvenience. Overuse can diminish its sincerity and impact. Choose a more casual phrase like "oops" or simply correct the mistake without drawing unnecessary attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please excuse me" functions as an apology or a polite request for understanding. As exemplified by Ludwig, it sets a tone of courtesy when one acknowledges a mistake or imposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Please excuse me" is a versatile phrase used to express politeness when interrupting, apologizing for minor errors, or seeking understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its frequency is very common, appearing often in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While a general phrase, alternatives like "I'm sorry", "I beg your pardon", or "my apologies" may be more appropriate depending on the context and level of formality. Avoid overuse to maintain sincerity. By understanding its nuances and alternatives, you can communicate more effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I beg your pardon

A more formal way of saying "please excuse me".

Forgive me

A direct request for forgiveness, often used for more significant offenses.

Excuse my interruption

Specifically used when interrupting someone.

My apologies

A formal expression of regret.

I'm sorry

A general expression of regret, less formal than "please excuse me".

Pardon my intrusion

Used to politely acknowledge an entrance or imposition.

Please forgive my mistake

A more direct and specific request for forgiveness, emphasizing the error.

I hope you'll understand

Focuses on seeking understanding rather than explicit apology.

Bear with me

Asks for patience in a situation, often implying a temporary inconvenience.

Pardon me for asking

Used before asking a potentially sensitive or intrusive question.

FAQs

How can I use "please excuse me" in a sentence?

You can use "please excuse me" to politely interrupt someone, as in "Please excuse me, but can I ask a question?" or to apologize for a minor mistake, like "Please excuse me for being late."

What's the difference between "I'm sorry" and "please excuse me"?

"I'm sorry" is a general apology, while "please excuse me" is often used to ask for understanding or to politely interrupt. "Please excuse me" can also precede a request or explanation.

Are there more formal alternatives to "please excuse me"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "I beg your pardon" or "my apologies", which are suitable for professional or formal settings.

When is it inappropriate to use "please excuse me"?

Avoid using "please excuse me" in situations that require a more sincere or direct apology. For significant offenses, a more heartfelt expression of remorse is necessary. In very informal settings, a simple "excuse me" may suffice.