Do they? I thought “I’m sorry” was specifically about sharing how you are feeling vs “I apologise” which is an acknowledgment of your action(s). They often correlate but not always a given.
Just my 20c…
Edit: I can’t spell actions apparently.
Bonus DVD directors cut edit:
So reading all the cool comments below has taught me that the most ambiguous situation that can arise linguistically, is inadvertently bumping into someone whilst trying to ask directions during a Canadian funeral.
If you’re apologizing for something you did, you likely would say either.
If you’re at a funeral you might say to the survivors of the decedent, “I’m sorry” as in, “I am sorry for your loss”. Whereas saying “I apologize” to them can only mean you believe you’re at fault for the decedent’s passing.
In Canada saying I’m sorry/apologize can’t be taken as an admittance of fault. So may legally vary in place to place, but there isn’t actually a difference.
In Canada … ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t mean much any more …
Bump somebody in public? … I’m sorry
Meet someone you know? … I’m sorry
Meet someone you don’t know? … I’m sorry
Look at somebody? … I’m sorry
Stand in line with other people? … I’m sorry
Someone acknowledge you? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you to hold this severed body part? … I’m sorry (and hold it anyway)
Someone asks you for directions? … I’m sorry
Someone tells you 1+1=2? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you if you want salmon or steak? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you which hockey team you like? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you about the weather? … I’m sorry
Do they? I thought “I’m sorry” was specifically about sharing how you are feeling vs “I apologise” which is an acknowledgment of your action(s). They often correlate but not always a given.
Just my 20c…
Edit: I can’t spell actions apparently.
Bonus DVD directors cut edit:
So reading all the cool comments below has taught me that the most ambiguous situation that can arise linguistically, is inadvertently bumping into someone whilst trying to ask directions during a Canadian funeral.
If you’re apologizing for something you did, you likely would say either.
If you’re at a funeral you might say to the survivors of the decedent, “I’m sorry” as in, “I am sorry for your loss”. Whereas saying “I apologize” to them can only mean you believe you’re at fault for the decedent’s passing.
Damn inflation really caught up with giving your 2 cents!
Like at a funeral for example?
In Canada saying I’m sorry/apologize can’t be taken as an admittance of fault. So may legally vary in place to place, but there isn’t actually a difference.
In Canada … ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t mean much any more …
Bump somebody in public? … I’m sorry
Meet someone you know? … I’m sorry
Meet someone you don’t know? … I’m sorry
Look at somebody? … I’m sorry
Stand in line with other people? … I’m sorry
Someone acknowledge you? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you to hold this severed body part? … I’m sorry (and hold it anyway)
Someone asks you for directions? … I’m sorry
Someone tells you 1+1=2? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you if you want salmon or steak? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you which hockey team you like? … I’m sorry
Someone asks you about the weather? … I’m sorry
I’m sorry you had to make this comment.
Sorry
Apology accepted
They have the same meaning to me. Either one is interchangable with the other, trying to distinguish them is just semantics/splitting hairs IMO.
I’m sorry you think that, but I’m not going to apologise for your mistake.
My apologies.