Stop Saying “Sorry” All the Time | Sound More Natural in English episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 7, 2026 · 4 MIN

Stop Saying “Sorry” All the Time | Sound More Natural in English

from 5 Minute English Talk · host 5MM

Do you start sentences with “sorry” even when you haven’t done anything wrong? “Sorry, can you repeat that?” “Sorry, where is the train station?” “Sorry, can I ask a question?” If so, you’re not alone. Many English learners use “sorry” in situations where native speakers would choose a different phrase. In this episode of 5-Minute English Talk, we continue our Sound More Natural in English series and learn when to use “sorry”—and when to replace it with more natural, confident expressions. You’ll learn useful alternatives like: Excuse me...Could you repeat that?I didn’t catch that.Could you say that again?Can I ask something? You'll also hear real-life examples and natural conversations that show how native speakers ask for help, get someone's attention, and request clarification without overusing the word sorry. By the end of this episode, you'll be able to: ✓ Sound more natural and confident in English ✓ Use polite expressions correctly ✓ Ask questions more comfortably ✓ Improve your everyday English communication skills Check out the links below and start growing your English vocabulary today! Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-minute-english-vocabulary-show/id1832277352 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PdQUuoGtWHJbavaYAwbrT Cast Box: https://castbox.fm/channel/5-Minute-English-Vocabulary-Show-id6709393?country=us others: https://5-minute-vocabulary-english-learning-podcast.simplecast.com/ Remember: Being polite doesn’t always mean saying “sorry.”Sometimes the most natural English comes from choosing the right phrase for the right situation. Follow 5-Minute English Talk for practical English lessons, real-life conversations, and simple tips to help you speak naturally and confidently every day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Stop Saying “Sorry” All the Time | Sound More Natural in English

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This episode is 4 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 7, 2026.

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Do you start sentences with “sorry” even when you haven’t done anything wrong? “Sorry, can you repeat that?” “Sorry, where is the train station?” “Sorry, can I ask a question?” If so, you’re not alone. Many English learners use “sorry” in...

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