“Excuse me! Is this your bike?” “No, it isn't. Ask that woman. I think it's her bike.” [《初中英语教科书》第一册(上), 人教社, 新版 p.37]
《中学英语1+1·初一同步讲解与测试》(中国青年出版社，p.32)对上面的句子作了如下注释：“Sorry和Excuse me尽管都是‘对不起’的意思，但两者所用的情景不同。向某人提出询问请求或打扰某人时，常用Excuse me，而不说Sorry。”
能说 Excuse me 的地方真的不能说 Sorry 吗?
该书作者忽略了sorry用作道歉词的意义和用法。实际上，在美国英语中说excuse me.的地方，在英国英语中大都使用sorry(参见excuse)。
A. 问路,询问事情
(1) Excuse me, does this bus go to the station? 对不起,这辆公共汽车去火车站吗?
(2) Sorry, I don't know where she lives. 对不起,我不知道她住在哪儿。
B. 走路时或在车上撞到别人或因迟到而表示道歉
(1) She said “Excuse me” when she stepped on my foot. 她跺了我的脚，说了声“对不起”。
(2) Sorry, did I knock your elbow? 对不起, 我是不是撞到你的胳膊肘了?
C. 因不同意对方的观点而表歉意
(1) Excuse me, but I think you are quite wrong. 对不起,我认为你完全错了。
(2) I'm sorry, but I disagree with you all. 对不起,我不同意你们大家的意见。
D. 请求对方重复刚才说过的话
(1) “You can tell that it's going to die out?” — “Excuse me?” — “You can tell that it's going to die out?” “你能告诉我它要灭绝吗?”“对不起,你说什么?”“你能告诉我它要灭绝吗?”
(2) “What time is it, please?” “Sorry?” “I asked you the time.” “请问几点了?”“对不起，你说什么?”“我问你几点了。”
请做下面的英语试题：
- —I'd like to invite you to dinner this Saturday, Mr, Smith. — ____.
A. Oh, no. Let's not
B. I'd rather stay at home
C. I'm very sorry, but I have other plans.
D. Oh, no. That'll be too much trouble(全国高考,97-15)
- —Sorry, I couldn't come to the party. I was sick that day. —____.
A. I don't know that B. That's all right
C. Yes, we'll have another party D. No, the party wasn't held(上海高考,96-30)
- —Could you turn the TV down a little bit?
——. Is it disturbing you?
A. Take it easy B. I'm sorry C. Not a bit D. It depends(全国高考天津卷,07-2) sorry
I'm sorry I'm late.
sorry 与 I'm late 是什么关系?
I'm late 是省略了连词 that 的形容词补足语从句, 见 sure (glad) that, happy。