Reading Theme:
Sorry Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：feeling regret (sorry)
sorry
/ˈsɒri/
adj.
What you say or feel when you've done something wrong and want to say you're at fault.
feeling regret
➕
/ˈfiːlɪŋ rɪˈɡrɛt/
adj.
When you are sorry, you feel remorse or regret for something you did wrong.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Old English sārig (distressed, grieved), from sār (pain).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'sore' (pain) + 'ry' — feeling sore about your mistake.
📖 Example
He was sorry for accidentally tearing a page in the library book.
He felt regret for accidentally tearing a page in the library book.
🔗 Collocations
feel sorry for someone – to feel sympathy or pity for someone
say sorry – to apologize
be sorry about something – to feel regret about something
🔄 Synonyms
apologetic (adj.) – expressing regret or asking for pardon
regretful (adj.) – feeling or showing regret
remorseful (adj.) – filled with remorse
🚫 Antonyms
unrepentant (adj.) – showing no regret
defiant (adj.) – openly refusing to apologize
unapologetic (adj.) – not expressing regret
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Old English sārig (feeling pain or grief), the word evolved to be used in apologies by the 13th century. Its modern use as a polite expression of regret became widespread in the 19th century.
Meaning 2：feeling sympathy (sorry)
sorry
/ˈsɒri/
adj.
Feeling sad or sympathetic because something bad happened to someone else.
feeling sympathy
➕
/ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈsɪmpəθi/
adj.
Feeling sorry for someone means you are sad because they are suffering or have had a misfortune.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I feel really sorry for my friend who lost the singing competition after practicing so hard.
I feel great sympathy for my friend who lost the singing competition after so much practice.
🔗 Collocations
feel sorry for someone – to feel pity or sympathy for someone
be sorry to hear something – to express sadness upon hearing bad news
sorry for someone's loss – expression of sympathy for bereavement
🔄 Synonyms
sympathetic (adj.) – feeling or showing concern for someone's suffering
compassionate (adj.) – showing compassion and concern for others
pitying (adj.) – expressing pity
🚫 Antonyms
unsympathetic (adj.) – not feeling or showing sympathy
indifferent (adj.) – having no interest or concern
callous (adj.) – showing no concern for others' feelings
Wordbook
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