“Excuse me! Is this your bike?” “No, it isn't. Ask that woman. I think it's her bike.” [《初中英语教科书》第一册(上), 人教社, 新版 p.37]
《中学英语1+1·初一同步讲解与测试》(中国青年出版社，p.32)对上面的句子作了如下注释：“Sorry和Excuse me尽管都是‘对不起’的意思，但两者所用的情景不同。向某人提出询问请求或打扰某人时，常用Excuse me，而不说Sorry。”
能说 Excuse me 的地方真的不能说 Sorry 吗?
该书作者忽略了sorry用作道歉词的意义和用法。实际上，在美国英语中说excuse me.的地方，在英国英语中大都使用sorry(参见excuse)。
A. 问路,询问事情
(1) Excuse me, does this bus go to the station? 对不起,这辆公共汽车去火车站吗?
(2) Sorry, I don't know where she lives. 对不起,我不知道她住在哪儿。
B. 走路时或在车上撞到别人或因迟到而表示道歉
(1) She said “Excuse me” when she stepped on my foot. 她跺了我的脚，说了声“对不起”。
(2) Sorry, did I knock your elbow? 对不起, 我是不是撞到你的胳膊肘了?
C. 因不同意对方的观点而表歉意
(1) Excuse me, but I think you are quite wrong. 对不起,我认为你完全错了。
(2) I'm sorry, but I disagree with you all. 对不起,我不同意你们大家的意见。
D. 请求对方重复刚才说过的话
(1) “You can tell that it's going to die out?” — “Excuse me?” — “You can tell that it's going to die out?” “你能告诉我它要灭绝吗?”“对不起,你说什么?”“你能告诉我它要灭绝吗?”
(2) “What time is it, please?” “Sorry?” “I asked you the time.” “请问几点了?”“对不起，你说什么?”“我问你几点了。”
—I'd like to invite you to dinner this Saturday, Mr, Smith. — ____.
—Sorry, I couldn't come to the party. I was sick that day. —____.
—Could you turn the TV down a little bit?
——. Is it disturbing you?
I'm sorry I'm late.
sorry 与 I'm late 是什么关系?
I'm late 是省略了连词 that 的形容词补足语从句, 见 sure (glad) that, happy。