logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
49m 50s

#301 Saying 'Sorry' Like a British Perso...

Michael Lavers
About this episode

You may know that British people are famous for using the word 'sorry' all the time.

In this episode, I talk about this habit and how much truth is behind it, but I also share the different situations in which we would say 'sorry' in the UK - and maybe more generally in the English-speaking world too.

Sorry is so much more than a word used when you make a mistake and it can have many different meanings.

There are also many different ways to apologise and say you're sorry depending on how serious the situation is, so in the second half of this episode, I cover these different phrases.

Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast301

Sign Up for Free Lessons - https://www.levelupenglish.school/#freelessons

Join Level Up English - https://courses.levelupenglish.school
By becoming a member, you can access all podcast transcripts, listen to the private podcast and join live lessons and courses on the website.

Up next
Oct 8
#345 How to Make Your English Sentences Longer
Sentences that are too short and simple is an issue that all language learners face. We can say what we want, but we don't sound natural because all of our sentences sound like children.In this episode, we're going to practise extending sentences and making more natural phrases u ... Show More
33m 42s
Oct 1
#344 How to Actually Set & Achieve Goals
It's great to have goals, but what's the point of having them if we never actually achieve them?Or maybe you do eventually get there, but wouldn't it be nice if we could get there faster and more efficiently?In this episode, I talk about SMART goals and give examples of how you c ... Show More
42m 52s
Sep 24
#343 When 'Terrific' Meant 'Terrifying'
This is an episode I'm excited for because we'll be looking at a group of words that have gone through a similar history; namely, they have all had quite a drastic change in their meanings over time.Many words we use today in English such as 'terrific' or 'fond' used to have almo ... Show More
35m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2017
Episode 182 - Talking to Mark aka Russian about British Education
In this episode I meet up with my Russian friend who happens to be living in London since he was ten. When you speak to him, you wouldn't really think at all he actually is a non-native. We mostly talk about his experience and challenges of learning English and we also delve into ... Show More
43m 6s
Jul 2023
Podcast 163 Actually (meaning and uses) B1, B2 English
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.The word 'actually' is not an easy word to use in English for learners. In this podcast, I explain its meanings and uses and give lots of examples from my podcast stories. There's a full transcript with this episode, wh ... Show More
22m 21s
Apr 2025
Bonus episode #144 – A Little Bit of Everything
In this episode, Andrew shares a mix of real-life updates and personal stories, from sleeping alone in a queen-size bed to trying to fix a podcast recording disaster. He also talks about replacing social media habits with Japanese reading practice and learning how to do DIY home ... Show More
20m 27s
Oct 7
The English We Speak: Neck of the woods
This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251007 Subscribe t ... Show More
2m 15s
Sep 3
English in a Minute: Phrases with 'ear'
If you 'play it by ear', you don't make a plan. Learn this phrase and more in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/s5english_in_a_minuteFIND BBC ... Show More
58s
Apr 2025
The English We Speak: Dial down
Here's an expression we use to talk about reducing the intensity of something. TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250421FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ http ... Show More
2m 35s
Aug 20
Speak Better English with Harry | Episode 549
In this episode, you will learn how native English speakers talk when they are not exact. This is common in everyday conversation when people speak about numbers, amounts, or descriptions. Instead of giving a precise answer, they use simple words to give only a general idea. You ... Show More
12m 19s
Apr 2025
815 - Casual Phrasal Verbs With Up
Listen, I’m not trying to butter you up, but I do want to say that I appreciate you listening to this podcast each week. Maybe you can learn something or just crack up from what I’m saying. In any case, buckle up because here comes another podcast English lesson, just for you! Th ... Show More
8m 26s
Sep 15
880 - Seven Ways To Use Even In English
I came up with this podcast yesterday. I even wrote some of it in the car. And even though I touched on this topic in a podcast like 10 years ago, this lesson is ever better. Have you ever heard someone say something like, “It’s even colder today than yesterday,” or “He even brou ... Show More
12m 10s
Apr 2025
The English We Speak: It's giving
An expression meaning something has a certain energy or vibe.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250428FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/ ... Show More
2m 28s