sorry to bother you

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A polite expression used to apologize for interrupting someone or asking for their time or help.

   Grammar: Usually opens a request: sorry to bother you, but could you help me?

   Patterns

   • sorry to bother you, but ...

   Sorry to bother you, but do you know where the library is?

   Sorry to bother you, could I borrow your pen for a second?

   Sorry to bother you so late, but I think I left my keys here.

Common combinations

sorry to bother you, but

Sorry to bother you, but is this seat free?

sorry to bother you again

Sorry to bother you again, but I have one more question.

sorry to bother you so late

Sorry to bother you so late, but the lights are still on.

sorry to bother you at home

Sorry to bother you at home, but it is urgent.

Synonyms and how they differ

excuse me

Excuse me is shorter and works for getting attention, while sorry to bother you explicitly apologizes for the imposition.

sorry to trouble you

Sorry to trouble you is a bit more formal and old-fashioned in tone.

pardon the interruption

Pardon the interruption is formal and fits meetings or speeches.

I hate to ask, but

I hate to ask, but focuses on how awkward the request feels, rather than on interrupting.

Word family

bother verb

to disturb or annoy someone

bother noun

a minor trouble or effort

bothersome adjective

causing slight annoyance

sorry adjective

feeling regret

Commonly confused: sorry to bother you or sorry for bothering you?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sorry to bother you”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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