logo
The only time a ‘sorry' expresses true regret

The only time a ‘sorry' expresses true regret

Independent2 days ago
Academics have found that Britons use the word "sorry" in as many as 15 different ways.
Only one of these uses expresses true regret, which is when someone is genuinely sorry to hear another person's bad news.
The term "sorry" is frequently employed as a social lubricant, for politeness, or to ease awkward situations, rather than as a literal apology.
This unique multifunctionality of "sorry" can cause confusion for foreigners who might assume a genuine apology is being made.
A previous survey suggested Britons say "sorry" on average up to nine times a day.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Crisis in early years education as attainment gap widens, report warns
Crisis in early years education as attainment gap widens, report warns

Sky News

timean hour ago

  • Sky News

Crisis in early years education as attainment gap widens, report warns

A crisis in early years education has emerged with the attainment gap between students widening since the pandemic, a report has revealed. An annual report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) found that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) face the widest attainment gap at 19.9 months in reception year - the largest on record. Particularly, children with SEND and with Education, Health and Care Plans were found by the EPI to have fallen behind their peers. Disadvantaged five-year-olds were also found to be up to one month further behind their more affluent peers compared to 2019. White British pupils have experienced a relative decline in attainment since 2019, the report added, leaving disadvantaged students in this group with some of the lowest achievement levels. And a decline in post-16 engagement was also found, with more than 20% of 16-year-olds not in education or training compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. 2:42 Kali Jauncey-Childs, trust lead for early years at Oasis Community Learning and assistant principal at Oasis Academy Warndon in Worcester, told Sky News: "I think a key thing is the early identification of SEND. "We had the Sure Start centres, which were absolutely brilliant at bringing together lots of different services. We had all of the healthcare professionals, speech and language professionals, education all coming together to provide support to children and their families. "Those [services] not existing anymore means that there isn't that early identification as much now, even with the health visitor, especially since the pandemic." Zoe Jackson, assistant headteacher at Woodside Primary School in south London, added: "More children are entering our nursery settings and our reception classes with speech, language delays, difficulties in emotional regulation and emerging needs. "We have been proactive in trying to ensure that all children, regardless of their needs." Natalie Perera, chief executive of the EPI, told Sky News: "Our youngest and most vulnerable learners are still paying the price. "Without swift action, we are baking lifelong disadvantage into the system." In its report, the EPI called on the government to abolish the two-child benefit cap and extend free school meals to pre-school children. The thinktank also called for all teachers trained in child development and SEND identification and urged the government to increase disadvantage funding across all education phases, with a focus on persistently disadvantaged pupils. 6:10 A Department for Education spokesperson said in a statement to Sky News: "This report lays bare the widening disadvantage gap this government inherited, and which we are working flat out to solve through the Plan for Change. "From next year we will be investing £9bn per year in a revitalised early education system that helps get children ready for school - with working parents receiving 30 funded childcare hours per week, an almost 50% increase in early years disadvantage funding, and a strong new focus on improving the quality of reception year education. "Through our new Best Start in Life strategy, we're rolling out Best Start Family Hubs to every local area, and expect to have up to 1,000 hubs running by 2028, with a trained professional supporting families and children with SEND. "Alongside our free breakfast clubs, expansion of free school meals to all households on universal credit and investment in early support for children with SEND, we will turn the tide on these ingrained challenges across the education system." The EPI's annual report compares student attainment in 2024 with pre-pandemic levels in 2019, analysing disparities based on economic disadvantage, gender, ethnicity, English as an additional language, SEND and geography.

Births, marriages and deaths: July 14, 2025
Births, marriages and deaths: July 14, 2025

Times

time2 hours ago

  • Times

Births, marriages and deaths: July 14, 2025

THEN was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6.23 (AV) Bible verses are provided by the Bible Society LEONARDOn 6th July 2025 at St Thomas' Hospital, London, to Stelina (née Visviki) and Christopher, a son, Constantine George. MISS V. A. J. MITCHELL AND MR T. M. CULLINANThe engagement is announced between Venetia, daughter of Simon Mitchell and Clarissa Mitchell, and Thomas, son of Michael and Janet Cullinan. MISS A. L. W. HALLWORTH AND MR A. T. H. STANLEYThe engagement is announced between Abigail Louise Whiston Hallworth, daughter of Mr Philip and Mrs Fiona Hallworth of Clifton, Bristol, and Alexander Thomas Harry Stanley, son of the Rt Hon Sir John Stanley of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and Mrs Susanna Aldred of West Deeping, Stamford. The proposal took place in Frensham in the presence of their spaniel, Waffle, and the wedding is due to take place in the summer of next year. BOOTHBY Anne Barrow (née Dalston) died peacefully on 30th June 2025, aged 89. Nutritionist, traveller and swimmer. Much-loved wife of Christopher, devoted mother to Hugo, Jebb and Meg and loving grandmother to Polly, Thomas, George, Noah, Edda and James. NEWMAN Lt Col Nigel John Newman LVO died peacefully on 15th June 2025, aged 83. A beloved husband to Judith, devoted father to Giles and Sarah, and a proud 'Grumpy' to James, Madeleine and Abigail. Prior to his tenure as chapter clerk of St George's Chapel, Windsor, Nigel served in the Royal Army Education Corps, now part of the Adjutant General's Corps, for 27 years. Nigel was an active member of the community who leaves behind a legacy of service, dedication and love. He was respected and cherished by all who knew him. A funeral service will be held at the Royal Chapel, Windsor Great Park, on Thursday 17th July at 12.30pm, open to all who wish to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the British Diabetic Association and the Royal family express their thanks to all who have shown support during this time. RANKIN John, beloved father of Emma, peacefully on 29th June 2025, in St Andrews, aged 90. Thanksgiving service in the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, South Street, St Andrews, on 24th July at 12.30pm. Donations in lieu of flowers to MND Scotland please. THE MERCERS' COMPANY NEW MASTER AND WARDENS At an election court held on Friday 11th July 2025 the following individuals were elected for the ensuing year: master, Ms Alice Hohler; upper warden, Mrs Lucy Walsh-Waring; house warden, Mr Henry Lloyd; and renter warden, Mr Andrew Fenwick. MERCHANT TAYLORS' COMPANY The newly elected Master and Wardens for the year commencing 14th July 2025 are: master alderman, Sir Nicholas Lyons; first upper warden, Lady Harding; second upper warden, Mr RHC Nourse; upper renter warden, Mr HAF Parshall; and under renter warden, Ms LE Orr. Births, Marriages and Deaths To book an announcement, please visit:

Southend airport: four killed in medical transport plane crash
Southend airport: four killed in medical transport plane crash

Times

time2 hours ago

  • Times

Southend airport: four killed in medical transport plane crash

Four people died in the plane crash at London Southend airport on Sunday, officials have confirmed. The Times understands that all four people were crew on the plane, which crashed seconds after leaving the runway at the airport in Essex. Sources said that the pilot and co-pilot were both Dutch men. The medical team was made up of a female nurse from Chile and a male medic, thought to be German. The nurse has been identified as Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile who was reportedly working on her first day as a 'flight nurse.' One of her friends described her as the 'kindest soul' and said: 'She was so excited for this new job — it was her first day. 'She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that. 'She was just lovely. She was outgoing. She was fun. She wanted so much more with her life,' her friend Anna Smith told the BBC. Maria's loved ones were said to have set up a Go Fund Me to bring home her remains to be buried next to those of her father. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex police said: 'Yesterday afternoon, an aircraft which had landed here earlier in the day took off bound for the Netherlands. 'Shortly after take off, it got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died. We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals. 'Our thoughts are with the families and their colleagues at this tragic time. I can promise that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.' He confirmed that the Civil Aviation Authority had put a significant air exclusion zone around the crash site. The airport will remain closed until further notice as air accident investigators scour the site. The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200 crashed seconds after taking off at 3.48pm. It was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients and was operated by Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch company that specialises in medical evacuation services and transplant flights, as well as private charters. The plane had arrived from Pula in Croatia and dropped off a patient. It was returning to Lelystad in the Netherlands, where it was based. A spokesman for Zeusch Aviation said: 'It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among people on board flight SUZ1. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.' According to the latest filed annual accounts, Zeusch Aviation had 15 employees. The company is owned by Con Zwinkels, a tech millionaire and a former Boeing 747 pilot. He made his fortune with his company Leaseweb and became active in business aviation a few years ago. 'This is a dark day for aviation. We wish those involved strength and our thoughts are with the victims,' said Ton van Deursen, chairman of the Dutch association of small aviation companies. 'Zeusch Aviation is only a small company and the accident has put a lot of pressure on them. This could lead to years of investigation into the circumstances. Business jets are subject to the same safety requirements as airlines like KLM and Transavia. These are closely monitored.' Jude Winstanley, the chief executive of Southend airport, said: 'Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period.' Lisa Fitzsimons, of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, said that 'it is too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. A 'multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data' arrived at the crash site on Sunday, she added. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball' when the plane crashed. It had banked sharply to the left after taking off before 'nose diving' into the ground at the perimeter of the airport. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: 'It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.'There was a big fireball. I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family. Our thoughts are with them.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store