Questions about "excuse", please?
I have some questions about "excuse".
I always think people just use "excuse me" before doing something that may bother others..
But can we say say "please excuse me if I do it wrong" to ask others to forgive before doing something? .. I mean I want to know the differences between "excuse" and "forgive"? Can they be used in the same situation?
And I just learn a new word “pardon”. I saw it be used as "Pardon?" to ask others to say something again. Maybe we can also use "excuse me" when we want others to say again? Can we just use "excuse" or "pardon me"?

Thanks.

Question

Questions about "excuse", please?
I have some questions about "excuse".
I always think people just use "excuse me" before doing something that may bother others.. 
But can we say say "please excuse me if I do it wrong" to ask others to forgive before doing something? .. I mean I want to know the differences between "excuse" and "forgive"? Can they be used in the same situation? 
And I just learn a new word “pardon”. I saw it be used as "Pardon?" to ask others to say something again. Maybe we can also use "excuse me" when we want others to say again? Can we just use "excuse" or "pardon me"?

Thanks.

Answer

I agree with much of what Ann said. A few additional points. In the US, "pardon me" and "excuse me" can be used interchangeably, but Americans rarely use the term "pardon" anymore. Using the term "forgive" is, like Ann suggested, used for more personal and/or serious situations. As for Chinese equivalents, "excuse me" roughly equates to "對不起" or "不好意思" in use and tone; "forgive me" would be closer to "見諒".

Answer

Excuse, is more used, when we address ourselves to equals; pardon, to superiors; and, forgiveness, to heaven.
another explanation..
Forgive implies personal relationships or debts
Pardon implies a government agency and incarceration, but is has a social use: pardon me please (I need to pass by), I beg your pardon ( you have offended me or I didn't understand what you said. It's rather formal and not used much anymore. 
Excuse means that it can be made different and can be used in many different contexts

Answers · 4

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