sorry for now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorry for now" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a temporary apology or regret about a situation that may change in the future. Example: "I'm sorry for now, but I hope to have a solution by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I did a lot of things as a Muslim that I am sorry for now," Malcolm X was to say.

The Guardian

I did many things as a [Black] Muslim that I'm sorry for now.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I feel sorry for Jessica, now.

Independent

I feel sorry for him now".

The Guardian

"Do you feel sorry for me now?

The New Yorker

So are we supposed to feel sorry for bullies now?

The New York Times

But I've had enough feeling sorry for myself now.

The Guardian - Sport

If ever you were to feel sorry for Ryan Gosling, now is the time to do it.

The Guardian - Film

He says he hasn't seen Clegg for years but feels sorry for the now Deputy Prime Minister - sort of.

Independent

He quoted Sergei Yolkin, a Russian cartoonist, as saying: "I even feel a bit sorry for him now because he's not as confident as he was a few years ago".

The New York Times

For all his insistence that he has changed and matured, he is obviously still a nightmare to deal with, but it would take a cold heart not to feel very sorry for him now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorry for now", ensure the context clearly implies what you are apologizing for and why it's only temporary.

Common error

Avoid using "sorry for now" if the situation you're apologizing for is unlikely to change. It implies a future resolution that might not occur, leading to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry for now" functions as an expression of temporary regret or apology. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase indicates the speaker is acknowledging a current undesirable state but expects it to change. The examples in Ludwig show its application in various contexts, primarily within news and media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorry for now" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express temporary regret. Ludwig AI validates this, with examples primarily found in news and media contexts. It serves to acknowledge an undesirable situation that is expected to change, as indicated by the neutral tone it conveys. While not highly frequent, this expression is useful when you need to communicate that an apology is only relevant for the time being. When using it, be mindful that it sets the expectation of future improvement, so appropriateness depends on context. Alternative phrases like "apologies for the moment" can offer more formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apologies for the moment

Replaces "sorry" with a more formal "apologies" and emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation.

regretful at present

Substitutes "sorry" with "regretful" and "now" with "at present" for a more formal tone.

i apologize for the interim

Uses "apologize" and "interim" for a more formal and time-bound expression of regret.

i'm presently regretful

Replaces "sorry" with "regretful" and "now" with "presently" to give a formal tone to the phrase.

i am temporarily sorry

Adds "temporarily" to explicitly state the limited duration of the regret.

my regrets for the moment

Expresses regrets in a slightly more detached and formal manner.

i express my temporary regret

Rephrases as an expression of temporary regret for a more formal and emphatic tone.

please forgive me temporarily

Directly asks for forgiveness, emphasizing the temporary nature of the need for it.

excuse me for the time being

Shifts the focus to seeking excusal rather than expressing sorrow, suitable for minor inconveniences.

pardon me briefly

A very brief and polite request for pardon, suitable for momentary interruptions.

FAQs

How can I use "sorry for now" in a sentence?

You can use "sorry for now" when you need to apologize for a situation that you expect to change. For example, "I'm "sorry for now", but I hope to have a solution by the end of the week."

What's the difference between "sorry" and "sorry for now"?

"Sorry" is a general apology, while "sorry for now" implies the situation causing the apology is temporary and will change in the future.

Are there any formal alternatives to "sorry for now"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "apologies for the moment" or "regretful at present" for a more formal expression.

When is it inappropriate to use "sorry for now"?

It is inappropriate if the situation you're apologizing for is unlikely to change. Use a general apology like "I am sorry" instead.