sorry
sorry — adjective
1. feeling unhappiness because of something you have done, and wishing you could un
feeling unhappiness because of something you have done, and wishing you could undo it or make it right — for example, saying you are sorry after hurting someone's feelings or breaking something.
Kwame looked at the broken window and told his mother he was sorry.
be sorry + telling someone after doing wrong
Trang felt sorry that she had forgotten her friend's birthday party.
feel sorry + that-clause
Luca wrote a long letter saying how sorry he was for the lie he told.
I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused at yesterday's meeting.
The little boy said sorry after he accidentally broke his sister's toy car.
- apologetic
more formal; describes a person's manner rather than a feeling
- remorseful
stronger regret, often for something serious
- regretful
focuses on the wish that something had not happened
- unrepentant
not feeling any regret at all
文法句型
feel sorry about [something]
be sorry that [clause]
be sorry to [verb]
say sorry to [someone]
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'about', 'for', 'that + clause', or 'to + infinitive'. The phrase 'say sorry' is an informal alternative to 'apologise'.
常見錯誤
2. feeling sadness for another person's suffering or unfortunate situation — for in
feeling sadness for another person's suffering or unfortunate situation — for instance, feeling sorry for a neighbour who lost their job or a friend whose pet died.
We were all so sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away last week.
be sorry to hear + news of misfortune
Quinn felt sorry for the homeless cat shivering in the cold rain outside.
feel sorry for + someone suffering
Roya said she was sorry that her colleague had to move to another city.
I am sorry for anyone who lost their home in last year's earthquake.
The whole town felt sorry for the family whose house burned down on New Year's Eve.
- sympathetic
emphasises understanding of another's feelings
- compassionate
stronger, suggests wanting to help
- pitying
can sound condescending; use with care
- indifferent
not caring about another person's trouble
文法句型
feel sorry for [someone]
be sorry to hear [clause]
be sorry that [clause]
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'hear' — 'sorry to hear that…' is a standard way to show sympathy. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about regretting your own action; sense 2 is about pitying someone else's misfortune.
常見錯誤
3. feeling unhappiness about your own problems and believing that life has treated
feeling unhappiness about your own problems and believing that life has treated you unfairly — almost always used in the fixed phrase 'feel sorry for yourself'.
Takeshi stayed in bed all morning, feeling sorry for himself after failing his driving test.
feel sorry for himself (reflexive self-pity pattern)
Stop feeling so sorry for yourself — many people face bigger problems every day.
Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Stephanie signed up for a new training course.
Tara told her brother to stop moping around and feeling sorry for himself all weekend.
- self-pitying
adjective form, same meaning
- morose
gloomy and withdrawn, but not necessarily complaining
文法句型
feel sorry for yourself
sorry for yourself
用法筆記
Almost always uses a reflexive pronoun (yourself, himself, herself). The meaning is critical: it is not simply 'feeling bad' but carrying a tone of complaint or perceived unfairness. Not used in positive contexts.
常見錯誤
4. used before giving information that will disappoint or upset someone — for examp
used before giving information that will disappoint or upset someone — for example, telling a customer that an item is sold out or announcing that an event will not happen.
I am sorry to tell you that your application for the job was not successful.
sorry to tell you + bad news
The airline was sorry to announce that all flights had been cancelled due to the storm.
We are sorry to inform our customers that the store will close early this Friday evening.
Luca was sorry to report that the garden project had run out of money half way through.
The school is sorry to say that today's sports day has been postponed until next month.
- regret to inform
more formal; used in official letters and announcements
- unfortunately
adverb, not a verb pattern
文法句型
be sorry to [verb] that [clause]
be sorry to say/tell/inform
用法筆記
The 'sorry' here does not express personal regret or apology — it is a polite formula to soften bad news. Common in formal announcements (sorry to inform, sorry to announce) and everyday speech (sorry to say).
常見錯誤
5. used as a polite way to say no to an offer, invitation, or request — for instanc
used as a polite way to say no to an offer, invitation, or request — for instance, telling someone you cannot attend their party or that you disagree with their opinion.
I am sorry, but I will not be able to join you for dinner this Saturday evening.
sorry, but + polite refusal pattern
Tamar was sorry to turn down the promotion because it required a move to another country.
sorry to turn down + offer or invitation
We are sorry, but the hotel does not allow pets in any of its guest rooms.
Lucía was sorry to disagree with the plan because she found the costs far too high.
The manager said he was sorry, but the store policy did not allow refunds after thirty days.
- afraid
used similarly: 'I am afraid I cannot come' — slightly less formal
文法句型
be sorry, but [clause]
be sorry to [verb of refusing]
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'but' + the reason. Unlike sense 1, there is no regret about an action — the speaker is simply being polite while refusing. This pattern overlaps with sense 4 (bad news), but sense 4 introduces information the hearer does not expect, while sense 5 responds to a direct request.
常見錯誤
6. so bad, poor, or sad that people feel disappointment or pity — used to describe
so bad, poor, or sad that people feel disappointment or pity — used to describe a thing, situation, or result that is far below an acceptable standard, such as a garden overgrown with weeds or a meal that is barely edible.
The abandoned house was in a sorry state, with broken windows and a leaking roof.
a sorry state — describing physical decay
After the storm, the garden was a sorry sight of fallen trees and muddy water.
His explanation for being late was a sorry excuse that nobody in the room believed.
The team's performance on Saturday was a sorry display of poor passing and slow running.
That old bicycle is in a sorry condition — both tyres are flat and the chain is rusted.
- pitiful
stronger emotional reaction; more sympathetic
- lamentable
more formal and dramatic
- wretched
emphasises misery or poor quality
- admirable
worthy of praise, the opposite of pitiful
- magnificent
far above the expected standard
文法句型
a sorry [state/sight/excuse/condition]
in a sorry [state/condition]
用法筆記
Always modifies a noun (sorry state, sorry sight, sorry excuse). It carries a critical tone — the speaker is expressing disapproval, not sympathy. This is the only sense where 'sorry' does not describe a person's feelings.
常見錯誤
sorry — exclamation
1. said as a quick apology for a small accident or mistake — for instance, when you
said as a quick apology for a small accident or mistake — for instance, when you bump into someone, interrupt a conversation, or arrive a few minutes late.
"Sorry!" Roya said as she accidentally bumped into a man on the crowded train.
single-word apology for accidental contact
"Sorry I am late," Trang whispered as she quietly slipped into her seat near the back.
Lucía knocked over a cup of tea and quickly said, "Sorry about that!"
"Sorry for the noise," the neighbour called out from across the fence on Saturday morning.
Takeshi held the door and said sorry to the woman whose bag he had knocked off.
- pardon
more formal; common in British English
- my apologies
formal; used in writing or serious situations
文法句型
Sorry!
Sorry about [something]
Sorry for [something]
用法筆記
This is the exclamation form, distinct from 'be sorry' (adjective sense 1). The exclamation is used for small, everyday apologies and is less formal. For serious matters, a fuller expression (I am so sorry / I apologise) is more appropriate.
常見錯誤
2. said politely before refusing an offer, invitation, or request, or before statin
said politely before refusing an offer, invitation, or request, or before stating a different opinion — for example, declining a second helping of food or disagreeing with a suggestion at work.
"Sorry, but I cannot stay any longer," Tomás told his host at the party.
Sorry, but + explanation of refusal
"Sorry, I disagree with that idea," Quinn said quietly during the team meeting on Tuesday.
"Sorry, we do not accept credit cards here," the cashier told the customer at the counter.
"Sorry — that seat is already taken," Tara told the tourist heading towards her table.
- afraid
as in 'I am afraid not' — slightly softer
文法句型
Sorry, but [clause]
Sorry, [statement of refusal]
用法筆記
Similar to adjective sense 5 but used as a standalone interjection. This exclamation is very common in everyday spoken English. The 'sorry' itself does not express regret — it simply softens the refusal.
常見錯誤
3. said with a rising tone to ask someone to repeat what they just said, or used at
said with a rising tone to ask someone to repeat what they just said, or used at the start of a polite interruption — for instance, when you did not hear a name clearly or need to leave a conversation early.
"Sorry?" Stephanie said, leaning closer because the music in the cafe was far too loud.
Sorry? (rising intonation) — asking to repeat
"Sorry to interrupt, but your taxi has just arrived at the front gate," said the receptionist.
Sorry to interrupt, but + interruption statement
"Sorry, could you say that again? The phone connection was very poor just now."
"Sorry? I did not catch your name — could you please repeat it?" Luca asked politely.
文法句型
Sorry?
Sorry to interrupt, but [clause]
Sorry, could you [repeat]?
用法筆記
The rising intonation is essential — 'Sorry?' said flat or falling sounds rude. 'Sorry to interrupt…' is a standard polite formula for breaking into a conversation. 'Pardon?' is a more formal alternative in British English.