Question

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word.
I’m _____ if I hurt your feelings. Please forgive me.
A) Afraid
B) Pardon
C) Pitiful
D) Shameful
E) Sorry

Answer 1

Hint:
- The words given in the options are all adjectives.
- We must know the correct meanings and uses of these words to solve the question.
- The word that fills the blank is also used when ‘someone is sad through sympathy and misfortune’.

Complete answer:
The blank given in the question has to be filled with an adjective as it would describe the condition of the speaker. For e.g. I’m sad because I forgot my friend’s birthday. Here the word sad is describing the speaker's feelings or condition after he/she forgot his/her friend’s birthday.

Now let us look into the given options:
Option A) Afraid – It is the feeling of being scared or anxious. For e.g. I was afraid that the spider in my room might bite me. This word is not suitable for the blank. It is, therefore, an incorrect option.
Option B) Pardon – It means to forgive or to excuse. For e.g. He will not be pardoned for his treason. This option can be used just like ‘sorry’ while seeking forgiveness formally. For e.g. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you” can be written as “Pardon me, I didn’t hear you”. But it does not describe a feeling like ‘sorry’ does. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option C) Pitiful – It is an adjective used to refer to someone who ‘deserves pity’. For e.g. The poor dog was in a very pitiful state when I found him. This option has a very different meaning and thus, is not the correct option.
Option D) Shameful – It is used to refer to ‘something, someone or a scenario that is worthy of shame or disgrace’. For e.g. That was a very shameful thing to do. This word also has a very different meaning. It is also an incorrect option.
Option E) Sorry – It is the feeling of regret or penitence after having done wrong. This word suits best for the blank in the question. This is the correct option.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (E) i.e, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Please forgive me.

Note:
- Some synonyms of the word ‘sorry’ are; sad, disappointed, regretful, penitent, pardon etc.
- But only sorry is used to express apology. ‘Sorry’ can also be used to refer to something, ‘in a poor or pitiful state. For e.g. The boy looked a sorry sight with his broken leg.
- Sorry is also used to express a person’s sadness or disappointment. For e.g. I felt really sorry for him.