[Grammar] sorry or pardon

[kite]

Dear teachers,
In comunications, if we do not understand what other person says, we commonly use sorry or pardon? And I belive these two are for informal. May I use these in formal situations as well?

Thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

There are many things you can say.
Pardon?
I'm sorry?
Could you repeat that, please?
I'm sorry - I didn't quite get that.
Could you say that again, please?
I'm sorry - I didn't quite hear you.
I'm sorry - I couldn't quite make out what you said.

(The "I'm sorry" at the beginning is optional and appropriate for just about any of these.)

 

[emsr2d2]

And if you're not feeling particularly polite, you can say:

Eh?
Huh?
What?

The last is very common in BrE but can be met with an exasperated "It's not WHAT, it's PARDON!" from language sticklers (like my dad and grandfather !)