“Sorry for bothering you” is polite, but it can make an ordinary request sound like an imposition. Depending on the situation, you can use a brief apology such as “sorry to interrupt,” or avoid apologizing altogether with “when you have a moment” or “could I ask you a quick question?”
Choose the Level of Politeness
- Sorry to bother you
- Apologies for the interruption
- Sorry to interrupt
- I hope I’m not disturbing you
- Excuse me for interrupting
- Sorry to trouble you
- Pardon the interruption
- I know you’re busy, but…
- When you have a moment…
- Could I ask you a quick question?
Sorry to bother you
The direct version is often perfectly acceptable when you are genuinely interrupting someone.
Example: Sorry to bother you, but could I check one detail?
Apologies for the interruption
More formal and suitable for professional settings.
Example: Apologies for the interruption, but the client is waiting for a decision.
Sorry to interrupt
Natural when you are breaking into a conversation, meeting, or focused task.
Example: Sorry to interrupt—do you have the latest figures?
I hope I’m not disturbing you
Gentle and considerate when you are unsure whether it is a convenient time.
Example: I hope I’m not disturbing you. Could I ask about tomorrow’s schedule?
Excuse me for interrupting
Polite and slightly formal, especially in person.
Example: Excuse me for interrupting, but your next appointment has arrived.
Sorry to trouble you
A conventional polite phrase for asking for help, especially in British English.
Example: Sorry to trouble you, but would you mind checking this address?
Pardon the interruption
Formal and concise when you need to break into an ongoing activity.
Example: Pardon the interruption; I just need a signature before you leave.
I know you’re busy, but…
Acknowledges the person’s time without apologizing for a reasonable request.
Example: I know you’re busy, but could you look at this before noon?
When you have a moment…
A good asynchronous option that signals the request is not urgent.
Example: When you have a moment, could you send me the updated file?
Could I ask you a quick question?
Polite and direct when you need a small amount of someone’s time.
Example: Could I ask you a quick question about the invoice?
You Often Do Not Need to Apologize
For a routine email or reasonable workplace request, an apology may be unnecessary. “When you have a moment, could you…” is courteous without framing your message as a nuisance.
If you are actually interrupting, keeping the apology short usually sounds more confident: “Sorry to interrupt—could I check one thing?”