Sorry and I apologise?

Question

How come Sorry and I apologise mean the same. Except when at a funeral. Both mean the same thing, but why does saying I'm sorry count as an appropriate thing to say at funerals?

Answer 1

Sorry would mean when you feel sorry for someone. This may or may not be as a result of your actions. I apologise would mean that you take responsibility for something, as well as saying sorry.

You would feel sorry for someone's loss, but you wouldn't apologise unless you caused it.

Answer 2

Sorry comes from the word "Sorrow." When you apologize, you state regret for your actions. Saying that you're sorry does the same, but sorry can also mean that you feel bad for someone else. "I'm sorry for your loss" means that you're sad that the other person lost their friend or loved one.

Answer 3

The English language is complicated.  "Sorry" usually does mean "I apologise", but not always.  In the funeral context, it's more like "I sympathise with you".

Answer 4

Because everyone is at a total lost for words at a funeral and

say I'm sorry lets the loved ones know you are sorry for their lost.

Answer 5

an apology is often said to help make up for what you had done wrong. sorry may mean the same... but as you said, except in funerals. sorry may also mean that you symphatize with the someone's loss. so it is more appropriate to say 'im sorry'

Answer 6

IT is just something that is heart warming!

its a tradition!!

Answer 7

Sorry is used to express synpathy or empathy for something which is no fault or responsibility of the offerer.

I apologize is used to express regret for something which could have been helped or which is the fault or responsibility of the offerer.

Misuse of these is rampant in the English-speaking world. however, context is the key to expressing the intended meaning.

"I am so sorry" at a funeral implies sympathy. But, unless the offerer caused the death, there is no fault or responsibility to acknowledge. So, "I apologize" for your loss is totally inappropriate and awkward.

Answer 8

to say sorry is to admit your fault to something where an apology can be for someone else or saying your sorry for something that perhaps was not your fault

Answer 9

Because in most cases you are apologizing for something you've done - so "Sorry I spilt tea on you", or "I split tea on you, I apologize"; in both cases you are the responsible one; but at a funural you are "sorry" for the situation in which the relatives or loved ones are in, you aren't literally apologizing for their death, because that would imply you had some part to play in it.

Answer 10

"I apologize" sounds like you did something wrong.  "I'm sorry for your loss" sounds like what it says.  Don't apologize at funerals, unless you put them there.