sorry to trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"Sorry to trouble" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to show politeness and regret when asking someone for help or assistance. For example, "I apologize for asking, but sorry to trouble you, could you help me with this?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I'm so sorry to trouble you".

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am sorry to trouble you so early in the morning," she says.

The New Yorker

"I vowed to continue these activities as a lawyer, though I felt sorry to trouble him," Mr. Kaido said.

The New York Times

"I'm sorry to trouble you but didn't our Michael pass away and there's not a soul at home.

The New Yorker

The letter reads: 'Dear Sir, I'm sorry to trouble you in this time of stress and strenuous fighting, but could you possibly let me know of anything of Lieutenant E James of your glorious regiment?

BBC

"I'm sorry to trouble you on Christmas Day, but I've suffered another attack".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So sorry to have troubled you.

The New York Times

Try: "I'm sorry my first act as your neighbor is to trouble you, but I have severe allergies, and your room freshener is making me sick.

The New York Times

"It points to trouble".

The New York Times - Books

Facing television cameras as he was led to a car that would take him to jail, he told reporters, "I am sorry to have caused trouble".

The New York Times

Having written of the sense of optimism around its Thames-side offices before its launch this year, I am sorry to see it in trouble.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorry to trouble", follow it with a specific request or explanation to clearly state why you are imposing on the other person. For instance, "Sorry to trouble you, but could you please hold the door?"

Common error

Avoid using "sorry to trouble" excessively, as it can make you appear overly apologetic or lacking in confidence. Vary your language with phrases like "excuse me" or directly stating your request when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry to trouble" functions as a polite interjection used to express regret or apology when imposing on someone's time, resources, or attention. Ludwig AI confirms this use with real-world examples, such as "I'm sorry to trouble you but didn't our Michael pass away and there's not a soul at home."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sorry to trouble" is a polite and commonly used expression to introduce a request or express regret for causing an inconvenience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, wiki articles, and casual conversations. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and to vary your language with alternatives like "excuse me for bothering you" or "pardon me for troubling you" to maintain a natural and confident tone. Remember to be mindful of the context and avoid excessive apologies that could undermine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i didn't mean to trouble you

Expresses the lack of intention to cause trouble.

apologies for troubling

Formal alternative using "apologies" instead of "sorry".

pardon me for troubling you

Uses "pardon me" for a more polite and slightly formal tone.

i'm sorry to intrude

Focuses on the act of intruding, implying a disturbance.

excuse me for bothering you

Replaces "sorry" with "excuse me" and "trouble" with "bothering".

sorry for the bother

A shorter, more casual expression of apology.

i regret to inconvenience you

A formal construction using "regret" and "inconvenience".

forgive me for asking

Requests forgiveness for even asking the question.

i hope i'm not disturbing you

Shifts the focus to whether the person is being disturbed.

my apologies for the interruption

More formal and specific to interrupting someone.

FAQs

How to use "sorry to trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "sorry to trouble" to politely introduce a request or apology for inconveniencing someone, like "Sorry to trouble you, but do you know what time it is?"

What can I say instead of "sorry to trouble"?

You can use alternatives like "apologies for troubling", "excuse me for bothering you", or "pardon me for troubling you" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "sorry to trouble"?

While generally polite, using "sorry to trouble" might be unnecessary in very informal situations or when asking for something very minor. A simple "excuse me" or a direct request might suffice.

What's the difference between "sorry to trouble" and "sorry for the trouble"?

"Sorry to trouble" is used before causing an inconvenience, while "sorry for the trouble" is used after an inconvenience has already occurred. For example, "Sorry to trouble you, but could you help me carry this?" vs "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused yesterday."