Excuse me is a polite way to get the attention of someone you don't know, to ask someone to let you pass or to interrupt a conversation. It comes before a question or a request, as an apology in advance for the trouble. It fits everywhere: in the street, in a shop, at work.
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Excuse me, + question/request; Excuse me, could you + verb?; Excuse me? (= Sorry, what did you say?)
- Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the railway station?
- Excuse me, is anyone sitting here, or is this seat free?
- Excuse me, can I just get past? This is my stop.
What changed
First versionExcuse me, I forgot to send you the file yesterday.
RevisionSorry, I forgot to send you the file yesterday.
Both phrases can look like general apologies, but in English they do different jobs: excuse me comes before you bother someone, and for a mistake you've already made, you apologise with sorry.
In American English, people also say Excuse me after a small awkward moment, for example if they accidentally bump into someone in a crowd. British speakers more often say Sorry in that situation. And with a questioning intonation, Excuse me? means “Sorry, what?”: you didn't hear, or you're surprised or even offended. — You're too old for this job. — Excuse me?
Your turn
___ I didn't answer your call yesterday, but I was on a plane all day.
Show the answer
Sorry — You're apologising for something that has already happened: you didn't answer a call yesterday. For a slip like that, you say Sorry, and right after it you can say what you're sorry for: Sorry I didn't answer. Excuse me is for getting attention or bothering someone, not for admitting a mistake.
You're getting on a train, and someone's bag is on the only free seat. Speak to its owner using Excuse me, ask them to move the bag and explain why.
Excuse me, could you move your bag, please? I'd like to sit down, and this is the only free seat.
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