Shadowing Practice: Stop Saying SORRY in English - Say This Instead! - Learn English Speaking with Video

Creating lesson...
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What's wrong with this phrase?
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I'm sorry.
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Okay, trick question.
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There's nothing wrong with saying sorry, but there are several common alternatives that native English speakers often use.
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My name is Michael Anton.
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I'm the founder of English at the Ready, and I'm Canadian.
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You might be familiar with the stereotype that Canadians say sorry all the time.
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And while that might be true, it's not the only way of apologizing.
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In today's video, I'm going to teach you several alternatives to the word sorry.
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The most obvious and common situation is when you apologize for a mistake.
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For example, I'm sorry for making a mistake.
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In this situation, the more formal way of saying sorry is I apologize.
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I apologize.
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You might also say my apologies.
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My apologies.
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My bad.
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My mistake.
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I was wrong about that.
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That's on me.
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I take responsibility for that.
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I shouldn't have done that.
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You might also use the word sorry to express regret or sympathy.
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For example, I'm sorry for your loss.
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In addition to sorry, you could say, that's really unfortunate.
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How awful.
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That sounds really difficult.
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My heart goes out to you.
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I hate that you're going through this.
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Or what a tough situation.
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What a difficult situation.
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These are all different ways of expressing sympathy for somebody else.
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You might also use the word sorry if you don't understand somebody.
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For example, they say something and you say sorry.
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You could also say pardon, pardon, come again, come again.
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Could you say that again?
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Could you say that again?
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Or I didn't catch that.
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I didn't catch that.
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If you want to interrupt somebody politely or get their attention, you might say sorry.
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For example, sorry, do you have a moment?
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You could also say, excuse me, do you have a moment?
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Excuse me, pardon me, if I may.
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For example, if I may, could I please speak to you for a moment?
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Or lastly, if it's a more informal matter, quick question.
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For example, quick question.
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Do you have time to talk later?
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Sometimes apologizing too much can be a bad thing.
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You can admit a mistake without over apologizing.
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For example, you might say, hmm, good catch.
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Good catch.
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Or you're right.
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Let me fix that.
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Thanks for flagging that.
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Thanks for flagging that.
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Or let me correct that.
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Let me correct that.
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These are particularly useful phrases at work where it's important to take responsibility for your actions
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while at the same time still sounding confident.
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Another situation where you might say sorry is if you're declining an offer
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or you're saying no. In this case you might say Unfortunately, I can't.
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Unfortunately, I can't.
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I'm not able to.
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Sadly, I'm not able to.
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That won't work for me.
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And lastly, more informally, I'll have to pass.
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I'll have to pass.
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If your friends ask you to dinner, you might say, unfortunately, I'll have to pass.
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I have work to do.
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And lastly, if you're writing an email or a letter, there are situations where the word sorry might not be enough.
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It might not be strong enough.
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Instead, you might say, I regret.
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For example, I regret to inform you that I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
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Please accept my apologies.
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Please accept my apologies.
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These are all more formal ways of saying sorry.
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I hope you found this video useful.
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Let me know in the comments if you can think of any other alternatives.
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Again, there's nothing wrong with the word sorry, but sorry can be used in many different situations and it's always a good idea to know as many alternatives as possible.
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Hope you found this video useful.
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leave a like subscribe to English at the Ring and
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if you want to study with me click the link in the description below to learn more about our online programs.
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I'll see you in the next video.

Context & Background

In the realm of English communication, expressing apologies is a common yet nuanced aspect of conversation. In a recent video, Michael Anton, a Canadian English expert, discusses the importance of diversifying the way we apologize beyond just saying "I'm sorry." This is especially crucial for learners who wish to sound more natural and less repetitive in their speech. Cultivating this skill not only enhances your conversational abilities but also reflects a deeper understanding of cultural communication norms.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

Here are five effective alternatives to the phrase "I'm sorry" that can be integrated into everyday conversations:

  • I apologize: A more formal alternative, suitable for serious situations.
  • My bad: A casual way to take responsibility for a mistake.
  • That's really unfortunate: A phrase to express sympathy in difficult situations.
  • Excuse me: Polite interruption for getting attention or addressing someone.
  • Good catch: Acknowledgment of someone pointing out a mistake without over-apologizing.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively integrate these phrases into your speech, consider using a shadowing app or engaging with a shadowing site. Shadowing involves listening to a native speaker and immediately repeating what they say. Here’s a simple guide to enhance your English speaking practice:

  • Step 1: Choose a short segment from the video that features the phrases discussed.
  • Step 2: Play the segment, paying careful attention to pronunciation and intonation.
  • Step 3: Pause after each phrase and attempt to replicate it as closely as possible. This method helps improve English pronunciation.
  • Step 4: Record your shadow speech and listen to it. Compare your pronunciation and delivery to that of the original speaker.
  • Step 5: Practice consistently. Regular repetition will help these phrases become a natural part of your vocabulary.

By utilizing these strategies in your English-speaking practice, you can develop a more versatile and effective way of expressing apologies and sympathies, enriching your conversational skills.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.