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ESL forum >
Ask for help > I ´m sorry
I ´m sorry
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gharbi2009
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I ´m sorry
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Dear colleagues, Perhaps, it is easier to teach a language than its culture. I couldn ´t figure out why it is said "I ´m sorry. I didn ´t know that" for example when hearing bad news. What do we apologize for if "I ´m sorry" in such context means apology? My question may seem strange but in our culture, the reply we expect is totally different. Any help from natives or other colleagues? |
21 Feb 2016
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ninon100
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I believe that "I ´m sorry" in this context means "it makes me sad", NOT "it ´s my fault". BTW, what do people in your culture say? |
21 Feb 2016
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Tony C
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For me, the meaning is a short way of saying "I am sorry to hear that (news)".
Some of us English can be lazy, or concise with speaking our language. |
21 Feb 2016
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almaz
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Yes, "sorry" after be can express regret, grief, remorse, sympathy, pity, sadness and vexation as well as apology. As an attributive adjective, it can also mean wretched, miserable, pathetic, poor.
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21 Feb 2016
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ana.ap
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Yes, it ´s like the opposite to ´I ´m happy for you �. By saying you ´re sorry, you show your empathy somehow. |
21 Feb 2016
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gharbi2009
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thanks all for your comments, quite hel |
21 Feb 2016
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