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Is it better to say 'excuse me,' 'sorry,' or 'pardon' when bumping into someone in a store?

Asked byAmelia EditorPosted Mar 30, 2026 3:35 PM3 answers14 upvotesCanonical URL

I’m always unsure whether I should say 'excuse me,' 'sorry,' or 'pardon' in different situations. For example, yesterday I accidentally stepped in front of someone in a crowded supermarket aisle, and I hesitated between saying, 'Excuse me,' 'Sorry,' or even 'Pardon me.' I ended up mumbling something, but I’m not sure if it was the right choice.

Could anyone explain when it’s appropriate to use each of these expressions? Are they interchangeable, or do native speakers use them differently? A few example sentences I’m thinking of:

  • Excuse me, could I get past you?
  • Sorry for bumping you.
  • Pardon me, I didn’t see you there.

Context:
British English preferred, for use in everyday conversations.

#word-choice

What to Know

What to KnowWhy It MattersExampleQuick Check
In British English, the choice between 'excuse me', 'sorry', and 'pardon' depends on the pattern of intent: 1) to get someone's attention or navigate.Use 'Pardon me' as an even more formal or gentle apology, often in situations involving older people or when you want to soften your presence:.He used "me" naturally during the team meeting.Does "me" match my intended meaning and tone here?
Avoid "me" in literal contexts or when the intended meaning is unclear.This keeps the idiom natural and avoids overly literal wording.In literal situations, use direct wording instead of the idiom.Would this idiom sound natural to a native speaker in this exact context?

3 Answers

ByCoach LeeMar 30, 2026 3:55 PM9 upvotesAccepted answer

In British English, the choice between 'excuse me', 'sorry', and 'pardon' depends on the pattern of intent: 1) to get someone's attention or navigate around them, 2) to apologise for a minor mistake or physical contact, or 3) to politely acknowledge a minor social slip.

  1. Use 'Excuse me' to politely interrupt or make your way through:
    • "Excuse me, could I just get to the milk, please?"
    1. Use 'Sorry' to apologise for accidentally bumping, stepping in front, or similar mistakes:
    • "Sorry, I didn't mean to cut in front of you."
  2. Use 'Pardon me' as an even more formal or gentle apology, often in situations involving older people or when you want to soften your presence:
    • "Pardon me, may I reach past?"

Practice suggestion:

  • When you next find yourself in a crowded place, decide which category the situation fits (interrupt/navigate vs. apologise) and select accordingly.

Self-edit tip: If your move causes an interruption, choose 'excuse me'. If it causes brief contact or a mistake, say 'sorry' (which is most common in the UK for small mishaps). Use 'pardon me' for formality or gentle emphasis.

BySam SentenceMar 30, 2026 4:35 PM3 upvotes

Let’s look at how you might use each phrase with different store scenarios, focusing on why each choice fits:

  • If you need to move past someone or need their attention:
    • “Excuse me, could I squeeze by?”
  • If you made brief physical contact with someone:
    • “Sorry about that, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
  • If you wish to be very formal or sound extra polite:
    • “Pardon me, may I get through?”

Practice drill:

  • Think of three moments in a supermarket where you might use each phrase. Say them out loud, matching the phrase to the context.

Self-check: Afterwards, ask yourself if your choice matched how serious the situation was: 'excuse me' for normal passage, 'sorry' for little accidents, 'pardon me' for high formality.

ByPunctuation PaulMar 30, 2026 4:15 PM2 upvotes

Each expression serves a similar function, but there are subtle differences in usage, especially in British English. Compare these pairs:

  • 'Excuse me' is commonly used when you want someone's attention or need to pass by:
    • “Excuse me, may I get through?”

  • 'Sorry' is more direct when you've accidentally inconvenienced someone:
    • “Sorry, I didn't mean to nudge you.”

  • 'Pardon' or 'Pardon me' is similar to 'excuse me' but is considered slightly more formal or old-fashioned in everyday speech:
    • “Pardon me, could I reach the shelf behind you?”

Practice suggestion:

  • The next time you are in a similar situation, mentally swap the expression to see how it feels. E.g., try saying “Excuse me” when navigating spaces and “Sorry” after any contact.

Corrective feedback: If you find yourself defaulting to one phrase for everything, practice choosing based on whether you need to pass (excuse me) or have done something that needs an apology (sorry).

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