3 ms·

I think scott_s is right here. Also: being more interested in being correct than in actually maximally conveying regret and penitance is not a good look. You'

• thaumasiotes 11y ago
  scott_s's heavy downvoting strongly implies that a substantial majority find him to be mistaken. That means it doesn't make sense to act on your suggestion ('looking someone in the eye and saying "I'm sorry." has a psychological effect that is stronger than the mere semantic meaning of the phrase [as compared to more formal ways of apologizing]'), because you are more likely to misstep by sticking to the casual form than by using the formal one. You can easily offend people by treating them more casually than they feel is warranted. A nonnative speaker who has been taught that English apologies come in the form "I'm sorry" is perfectly justified (though mistaken) in insisting on that form; scott_s just has a chip on his shoulder.