Confusing Words: Apologise (verb) and Apologize (verb)
Meaning: express regret for something that one has done wrong.
Clarification: We can say that apologise and apologize are the same words with same meanings and functions within sentences.
Apologise vs Apologize – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
The pronunciation of the above two words are exactly the same. In terms of spelling, they are just one-letter apart. Actually, apologise and apologize are same words. They are interchangeable. The restriction is because of the versions of English language i.e. British English and American English. One word is the British variant and the other one is the American variant.
Let us find out which word is related to the British English and which word could be the American variant. I will define the terms and come up with the examples to show you the usage of these words within sentences.
Apologise
This particular word is used as a verb within sentences. Apologise means to say sorry; make excuses by giving reasons or as forgiveness from someone.
This word, with an –ise at the end, is used in British English. It means that if you are writing any British text, then your choice should be apologise.
1. I want to apologise for my bad attitude.
2. Every time you make mistakes and come here to apologise.
3. We apologise for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible have been sacked. (Monty Python)
Apologize
This particular word has the same meaning and function like apologise. To apologize means ‘to say sorry’.
This word, with an –ize at the end, is the form of American English. It means that if you are writing any American text, then your choice should be apologize instead of apologise.
Here is an example of an American text using apologize,
• The fine is to be even higher if Chevron doesn’t publicly apologize.
Check Out: The Difference Between Are and Our.
Which one is more preferable?
According to the history of English language, the word with the suffix –ize is more preferable to use. As, apologize came first in English vocabulary so, the use of apologize is greater than apologise. This new term with the suffix –ise recently get the chance to be the preferable word for British publications.
Apologize = American English
Apologise = British English
What Did You Learn?
We can say that apologise and apologize are the same words with same meanings and functions within sentences. The difference is that apologize is the preferable spelling for American English whereas, apologise is standard for British English. The fact is that apologize came first in history so, considered to be a standard term for all publications.
To apologise/apologize means to say sorry.