please forgive me

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'please forgive me' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to apologize for an action or mistake that you regret. For example, "I'm so sorry for sending you the wrong link. Please forgive me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Please forgive me", he said, "I'm just doing my job".

The Economist

He said: "Anything else?" I said: "I'm the only breadwinner for my kids, please forgive me".

The Guardian

"Please forgive me".

The New York Times

Please forgive me, hon".

The New Yorker

Jayati, please forgive me.

The Guardian

Please forgive me, love Rolf.

Independent

"Please forgive me," he said.

The New York Times

Will you please forgive me?

The New Yorker

Please forgive me that it's rather long.

The New Yorker

The statement added: "Please forgive me".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keep your sorrys and your excuse mes and your please forgive mes, above all keep your please, please forgive mes for the one moment in life when you'll really need them, need those words.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please forgive me" when you genuinely regret your actions and want to repair the relationship with the person you've wronged. Be sincere in your delivery to ensure your apology is well-received.

Common error

Avoid using "please forgive me" for minor inconveniences or mistakes. Reserve it for situations where you've caused significant harm or offense to maintain its impact and sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please forgive me" functions as an imperative, directly requesting forgiveness from the listener. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to express remorse and seek absolution for a wrong committed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please forgive me" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express sincere regret and request forgiveness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is employed in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. It is suitable for neutral register and serves the purpose of repairing relationships. While effective, it should be used judiciously for genuine offenses to maintain its sincerity. Alternatives such as "I beg your forgiveness" can be used in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Forgive me, please

This alternative inverts the order of the phrase for emphasis.

I am deeply sorry; can you ever forgive me?

This alternative intensifies the apology and questions the possibility of forgiveness.

I'm asking for your forgiveness

This alternative clearly states the speaker's intent to seek forgiveness.

I beg your forgiveness

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the speaker's humility.

I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me

This alternative emphasizes the emotional aspect of forgiveness.

I hope you can forgive me

This alternative expresses a hope for future forgiveness, softening the direct request.

I regret my actions; I hope I can be forgiven

This alternative explicitly states regret and a wish for forgiveness.

I am sorry; please excuse my behavior

This alternative is more descriptive and provides context for the apology.

pardon me

This alternative is more concise and can be used in less serious situations.

excuse me

This alternative is often used for minor offenses and is less emphatic.

FAQs

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

You can use "please forgive me" to express remorse and ask for absolution after admitting a mistake, for example, "I understand I hurt your feelings. Please forgive me."

What's a more formal alternative to "please forgive me"?

A more formal alternative is "I beg your forgiveness", which emphasizes humility and respect.

When is it inappropriate to say "please forgive me"?

It's inappropriate to say "please forgive me" sarcastically or insincerely. It should only be used when you genuinely regret your actions and wish to make amends.

What's the difference between "please forgive me" and "please excuse me"?

"Please forgive me" is used for more serious offenses where genuine forgiveness is sought, while "please excuse me" is typically used for minor social faux pas or interruptions.