“Sorries” is the correct plural of “sorry”; “sorrys” is a spelling mistake.
“Sorry” is usually an adjective or an interjection, but when it is used as a noun, as in “I owe you three sorries,” its plural is formed by changing the “y” to “ies.” This follows the same rule as words like “story” and “story-stories.”
Many people write “sorrys” because they simply add an “s” without thinking about the spelling rule. Spell checkers will flag it, and it can make your writing look careless.
The confusion also comes from the fact that “sorries” is rarely used, since “sorry” is mostly not a noun. That is why it is important to know when the plural form is actually needed.
In this article, we will explain why “sorries” is correct and when you can use it. By the end, you will never second-guess “sorrys or sorries” again.
Sorrys or Sorries : Quick Answer
Which spelling is correct?
Sorries is the standard plural spelling of sorry when the word is used as a noun. Sorrys is generally considered incorrect in standard English.
The spelling follows a common rule: when a noun ends in a consonant followed by y, change the y to ies to form the plural.
For example:
- Baby → Babies
- Story → Stories
- Party → Parties
- Sorry → Sorries
The word sorry usually works as an adjective or an expression. However, it can also be used as a noun when people talk about apologies or expressions of regret.
Examples:
- Correct: She offered several sorries for her mistake.
- Incorrect: She offered several sorrys for her mistake.
- More natural: She apologized several times for her mistake.
The last example is often the clearest choice because people usually say apologies rather than sorries in formal writing.
What does “sorries” mean?
The word sorries means more than one expression of regret or apology. It is an informal noun form.
For example, if someone makes several mistakes and says “I’m sorry” each time, you might describe those words as several sorries.
However, this use is less common than the word apologies. Therefore, you should think about your sentence before choosing the plural form.
The Origin of Sorrys or Sorries:
Where does the word “sorry” come from?
The word sorry has a long history in the English language. It comes from Old English sārig, which meant sad, distressed, or full of sorrow.
Over time, the meaning changed and grew. Today, people use sorry to express regret, show sympathy, or apologize for an action.
For example:
- I am sorry I broke your cup.
- I am sorry to hear about your loss.
- Sorry, I did not hear your question.
In these sentences, sorry expresses regret or sympathy. It is not being used as a plural noun.
Why do people write “sorries” instead of “sorrys”?
The difference comes from English plural spelling rules. Many nouns that end in a consonant followed by y change their ending to ies when they become plural.
For example, story becomes stories, and city becomes cities. The same pattern gives us sorries when sorry is used as a noun.
The word sorry ends in a consonant sound and the letter y. When it takes the regular plural ending, the y changes to ies.
| Singular | Correct plural | Spelling rule |
| Baby | Babies | Change y to ies |
| Story | Stories | Change y to ies |
| Party | Parties | Change y to ies |
| Sorry | Sorries | Change y to ies |
| Toy | Toys | Add s |
The last example is important. When a word ends in a vowel followed by y, we usually add only s. Since toy has a vowel before its final y, its plural is toys, not toies.
Is “sorries” an old or modern word?
The word sorry is old, but its use as a countable noun is less common. People may use sorries in casual speech, playful writing, or conversations about apologies.
For instance, someone might say, “A thousand sorries won’t fix the problem.” This sentence uses sorries to refer to repeated expressions of regret.
In formal English, however, apologies is usually a better choice. The word is widely understood and sounds more natural in professional communication.
British English vs American English Spelling:
Is there a difference between British and American English?
No major spelling difference exists between British and American English for this word. Both varieties use sorries as the standard plural when the noun form is intended.
This is different from words such as colour and color, or organise and organize, which may have different standard spellings in different regions.
The spelling of sorry follows the same basic rule in both British and American English.
| Feature | British English | American English |
| Singular form | Sorry | Sorry |
| Standard plural noun | Sorries | Sorries |
| Common formal alternative | Apologies | Apologies |
| Example | He offered his sorries. | He offered his sorries. |
| More natural formal sentence | He offered his apologies. | He offered his apologies. |
Although the spelling is the same, the example “He offered his sorries” may sound unusual in both varieties. A more natural sentence would be “He offered his apologies.”
Do other English-speaking countries use the same spelling?
Yes. In countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the standard plural spelling is also sorries.
The main difference is not regional spelling. It is how often people choose to use the noun form. Many speakers prefer apologies, expressions of regret, or simply sorry in a sentence.
For example:
- British English: She sent her apologies.
- American English: She sent her apologies.
- Australian English: She sent her apologies.
- Canadian English: She sent her apologies.
The examples are the same because there is no major regional spelling rule that changes sorries to sorrys.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
For American readers
If you are writing for an American audience, use sorries when you need the plural noun. However, in most everyday situations, apologies or sorry will sound more natural.
For example:
- Informal: I have said enough sorries today.
- Formal: I have offered enough apologies today.
- Simple: I am sorry for what happened.
The best option depends on what you want to say. If you are writing a work email, use apologies rather than sorries.
For British and Commonwealth readers
British, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand readers follow the same basic spelling rule. You can use sorries as the plural noun, but apologies is usually the better choice in formal writing.
For example:
- Informal: He gave me lots of sorries.
- Formal: He offered several apologies.
- Everyday: He said sorry after the mistake.
These sentences show how the choice of word can change the tone of your writing.
For a global audience
If your readers come from different countries, choose simple and familiar words. The word apologies is clear and professional, while sorry is easy to understand in casual communication.
Use sorries only when you specifically want to treat separate expressions of regret as countable things.
| Writing situation | Best choice | Example |
| Work email | Apologies | Please accept my apologies. |
| Casual chat | Sorry | Sorry, I forgot to call. |
| Playful conversation | Sorries | I owe you a hundred sorries. |
| School assignment | Apologies | She offered several apologies. |
| Grammar explanation | Sorries | Sorries is the standard plural form. |
The main lesson is simple: use sorries for the plural noun, but use apologies when you want a more natural or professional expression.
Common Mistakes with Sorrys or Sorries:
Mistake 1: Writing “sorrys” as the plural
The most common error is adding only s to sorry.
Incorrect: He gave me three sorrys.
Correct: He gave me three sorries.
The spelling changes because sorry ends in a consonant followed by y. The same rule applies to many other English words.
Mistake 2: Using “sorries” in every situation
Even though sorries is the correct plural noun, it is not always the best word for your sentence.
Unnatural: Please accept my sorries for the delay.
Better: Please accept my apologies for the delay.
The second sentence sounds more professional. It is a better choice for business emails, formal letters, and workplace communication.
Mistake 3: Confusing the adjective with the noun
The word sorry often describes how someone feels or expresses regret. In these cases, you usually do not need a plural form.
Incorrect: I am sorries for the mistake.
Correct: I am sorry for the mistake.
Here, sorry describes the speaker’s feeling or attitude. It does not need to become plural.
Mistake 4: Changing “sorry” to “sorries” after every number
A number does not always mean you should use the plural form. The sentence must treat sorry as a noun.
For example:
- Correct: I said sorry twice.
- Correct: I offered two apologies.
- Possible but informal: I gave you two sorries.
The first sentence is usually the most natural way to describe saying sorry two times.
Mistake 5: Assuming British and American spelling differ
Some English words have different spellings in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, sorrys versus sorries is not one of those differences.
Both varieties use sorries as the standard plural noun. Writing sorrys is not the usual British alternative to American sorries.
Sorrys or Sorries in Everyday Examples:
Examples in emails
Emails often require clear and polite language. For this reason, apologies is usually better than sorries in professional messages.
Examples:
- Correct: Please accept my apologies for the late reply.
- Correct: I am sorry for missing the meeting.
- Informal: I owe you a few sorries for my mistake.
If you are writing to a manager, client, teacher, or colleague, choose the first or second example. They sound natural and respectful.
Examples in news and articles
News articles usually use words that are clear and direct. Writers often choose apology or apologies instead of sorries.
Examples:
- The company issued an apology after the error.
- The official offered several apologies to the public.
- The writer explained why the repeated apologies did not solve the problem.
The noun sorries may appear in a feature article or a quoted conversation, but it is not the usual choice for formal news writing.
Examples on social media
Social media allows a more relaxed style. People sometimes use playful expressions that would sound unusual in formal writing.
Examples:
- A thousand sorries for being late!
- Sending you all my sorries.
- Sorry, I forgot to reply.
- No more sorries; let’s fix the problem.
These examples show that sorries can work in an informal or humorous tone. Still, sorry is often enough when you are apologizing directly.
Examples in formal writing
Formal writing usually benefits from precise language. Instead of using sorries, choose apologies, expressions of regret, or a complete sentence with sorry.
| Informal wording | More formal wording |
| I have many sorries to give. | I have several apologies to make. |
| She sent three sorries. | She sent three apologies. |
| My sorries for the delay. | Please accept my apologies for the delay. |
| He said many sorries. | He apologized several times. |
These alternatives are especially useful in reports, school essays, business letters, and other professional documents.
Sorrys or Sorries : Google Trends and Usage Data
Which spelling do people search for?
People may search for both sorrys and sorries because they want to know which spelling is correct. These searches often come from students, English learners, writers, and people checking a message before sending it.
However, search interest does not always show which word is correct. People may search for an incorrect spelling precisely because they are unsure about it.
The standard spelling rule supports sorries as the plural noun, while sorrys is generally a misspelling in standard English.
Does popularity change by country?
The spelling rule does not change much between English-speaking countries. British and American English both use sorries when the noun is plural.
Search interest may differ by country, but it can also change over time. Without checking a specific Google Trends report for a set date range, it would not be accurate to claim that one country searches for either spelling the most.
You can compare the two terms on Google Trends to explore interest by country, time, and search category.
Which word is more useful in everyday writing?
Although sorries is the standard plural spelling, apologies is more useful in many everyday situations. It is common in formal writing and sounds natural in professional messages.
Here is a simple guide:
| Search term or word | Main purpose | Writing advice |
| Sorrys | Common spelling error | Avoid in standard writing |
| Sorries | Plural noun | Use in informal or specific contexts |
| Sorry | Direct expression of regret | Best for everyday apologies |
| Apology | One expression of regret | Good for formal writing |
| Apologies | More than one apology or a polite expression | Best for many professional contexts |
For writers, the best approach is to answer the spelling question directly and then explain how people actually use the words. This helps readers understand both the rule and the practical choice.
Sorrys vs Sorries vs Apologies: Comparison Table:
How are these words different?
The words may seem similar, but they have different roles in a sentence. Sorrys is generally a nonstandard spelling, sorries is an informal plural noun, and apologies is a common plural noun.
| Word | Correct in standard English? | Meaning | Example |
| Sorrys | Generally no | Intended plural of sorry | Avoid this spelling. |
| Sorries | Yes, as a noun | Several expressions of regret | I owe you a few sorries. |
| Sorry | Yes | Expression of regret or sympathy | I am sorry I was late. |
| Apology | Yes | One expression of regret | She gave an apology. |
| Apologies | Yes | More than one apology; also a polite expression | Please accept my apologies. |
The most important point is that the right choice depends on the meaning of your sentence. Correct spelling is only one part of good writing. Word choice and tone matter, too.
FAQs:
1. Is it sorrys or sorries?
Sorries is the standard plural spelling when sorry is used as a noun. Sorrys is generally considered incorrect. For example, “I owe you a few sorries” is possible in informal English.
2. Is “sorries” a real word?
Yes. Sorries can be used as the plural noun of sorry. It refers to separate expressions of regret or apology. However, it is less common than apologies and is usually more suitable for informal writing.
3. Why does sorry become sorries?
The word changes because of a common English spelling rule. When a word ends in a consonant followed by y, the y often changes to ies in the plural. For example, story becomes stories and sorry becomes sorries.
4. Is “sorrys” ever correct?
In standard English, sorrys is not the usual correct plural form. You may see it in informal messages, mistakes, or special wordplay, but you should use sorries when the plural noun is needed.
5. Do British people write “sorries” or “sorrys”?
British English uses sorries as the standard plural noun, just like American English. There is no major regional spelling difference between these two forms.
6. What is the plural of sorry in English?
The plural noun is sorries. For example, “He offered several sorries” uses the word as a noun. In most everyday and professional situations, however, “He apologized several times” sounds more natural.
7. Is “sorries” suitable for formal writing?
It is grammatically possible, but it is not usually the best choice for formal writing. Use apologies or expressions of regret in professional emails, reports, and letters. These phrases sound clearer and more polished.
Conclusion:
When choosing between sorrys or sorries, remember that sorries is the standard plural spelling when sorry is used as a noun. The form sorrys is generally incorrect in standard English. This spelling follows the common rule that changes a consonant followed by y to ies in the plural. The same pattern appears in words such as baby and story.
British and American English use the same spelling, so you do not need to choose a different form for readers in the United States or the United Kingdom. However, the correct spelling is only part of the decision. In everyday conversation, saying “I’m sorry” is often the clearest way to express regret. In professional writing, words such as apology and apologies are usually more natural than sorries.
If you are writing a casual message, sorries can work when you want to talk about several apologies in a playful way. For school assignments, business emails, and formal articles, choose apologies or rewrite the sentence with sorry. By understanding this simple spelling rule and choosing words that fit your audience, you can make your English clearer and more natural.
Deep dive!
