Hi, and welcome back to Everyday English with Teacher Alyse! I’m so happy you’re here. Today, we’re going to talk about a small but powerful change you can make in your daily conversations—replacing the word sorry with thank you.
Many English learners, and even native speakers, use "sorry" too often. While saying sorry is important when you truly make a mistake, overusing it can make you seem less confident and even unnecessary in some situations. Instead, shifting to thank you can make your communication more positive and empowering.
Let’s go through some common situations where you might be tempted to say "sorry" and how to rephrase them in a more confident and appreciative way.
Instead of saying: “I’m sorry I’m late.”
➝ Say: “Thank you for waiting for me.”
→ Why? This shift acknowledges the other person’s patience rather than focusing on your mistake. It creates a more positive tone.
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Why Is It Important to Limit "Sorry"?
Using "sorry" too often can make you seem less confident and even weaken your message. It can also make an issue seem bigger than it actually is. Of course, when you truly make a mistake, a sincere apology is important. But by replacing unnecessary "sorrys" with "thank yous," you turn negative situations into positive interactions.
Full transcript available upon request.
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