How common is the phrase ‘excuse my being late’? I would say ‘sorry for being late’ instead. Many thanks, Torsten[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEFL listening lectures: A university lecture by a professor of Paleontology[YSaerTTEW443543]
Rare unless it is very formal for specific reasons.
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The most informal expression would be - Sorry I’m late, which you would say among friends/family. I would certainly not say that ‘excuse my being late’ is rare and very formal. I would say it was something you would say if you were arriving late at a meeting, for example. This is simply said out of politeness.
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Anglophile / Alan,
‘Sorry for being late.’
Can I use this phrase instead of ‘Sorry I’m late.’
Please comment.
Thanks.
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Yes. It changes the emphasis, but is an acceptable substitution.
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How about ‘I must apologize for being late’?
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It is very polite and formal.
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