“to whom it may offend” vs. “to whom I may offend” [on hold]

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In my opening speech, is it right if I say

I apologize to whom it may offend"

"I apologize to whom I may offend"

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

put on hold as off-topic by MetaEd♦ Nov 19 at 3:05

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

"Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – MetaEd

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

2

How badly do you want to offend them?
– Hot Licks
Nov 19 at 2:48

Apologize to everyone or no one.
– Jim
Nov 19 at 2:49

1

Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.
– Kris
Nov 19 at 7:56

1

'I apologise if I offend anyone.'
– Kate Bunting
Nov 19 at 10:04

2

"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".
– BillJ
Nov 19 at 13:38

|
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up vote
0
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favorite

In my opening speech, is it right if I say

I apologize to whom it may offend"

"I apologize to whom I may offend"

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

put on hold as off-topic by MetaEd♦ Nov 19 at 3:05

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

"Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – MetaEd

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

2

How badly do you want to offend them?
– Hot Licks
Nov 19 at 2:48

Apologize to everyone or no one.
– Jim
Nov 19 at 2:49

1

Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.
– Kris
Nov 19 at 7:56

1

'I apologise if I offend anyone.'
– Kate Bunting
Nov 19 at 10:04

2

"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".
– BillJ
Nov 19 at 13:38

|
show 2 more comments

up vote
0
down vote

favorite

In my opening speech, is it right if I say

I apologize to whom it may offend"

"I apologize to whom I may offend"

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

In my opening speech, is it right if I say

I apologize to whom it may offend"

"I apologize to whom I may offend"

prepositions pronouns writing-style politeness

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

edited Nov 19 at 11:24

Mari-Lou A

61k54213445

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

asked Nov 19 at 2:44

user324837

New contributor

user324837 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

put on hold as off-topic by MetaEd♦ Nov 19 at 3:05

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

"Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – MetaEd

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

put on hold as off-topic by MetaEd♦ Nov 19 at 3:05

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

"Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – MetaEd

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

2

How badly do you want to offend them?
– Hot Licks
Nov 19 at 2:48

Apologize to everyone or no one.
– Jim
Nov 19 at 2:49

1

Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.
– Kris
Nov 19 at 7:56

1

'I apologise if I offend anyone.'
– Kate Bunting
Nov 19 at 10:04

2

"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".
– BillJ
Nov 19 at 13:38

|
show 2 more comments

2

How badly do you want to offend them?
– Hot Licks
Nov 19 at 2:48

Apologize to everyone or no one.
– Jim
Nov 19 at 2:49

1

Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.
– Kris
Nov 19 at 7:56

1

'I apologise if I offend anyone.'
– Kate Bunting
Nov 19 at 10:04

2

"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".
– BillJ
Nov 19 at 13:38

How badly do you want to offend them?
– Hot Licks
Nov 19 at 2:48

Apologize to everyone or no one.
– Jim
Nov 19 at 2:49

Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.
– Kris
Nov 19 at 7:56

'I apologise if I offend anyone.'
– Kate Bunting
Nov 19 at 10:04

"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".
– BillJ
Nov 19 at 13:38

|
show 2 more comments

1 Answer
1

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1
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Some of us might quibble with word choice: 'apologize' would arguably not apply in cases where you plan to proceed with the offense. That said, clearly people regularly do so. Many also apologize for something they think "may" happen if the recipient of the apology is predisposed to taking offense. As such, the word "may" has a whiff of victim blaming.

I would choose to say something like the following if I were in your position:

I'm aware what I'm about to say offends some people. My intent is not to offend.

However, if you insist on the word choice, the following sentence is one option that avoids the grammar tangle and removes some of the weird sensibility snafus of the choices you proffered:

I apologize to those of you I offend.

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

add a comment |

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
1
down vote

I would choose to say something like the following if I were in your position:

I'm aware what I'm about to say offends some people. My intent is not to offend.

However, if you insist on the word choice, the following sentence is one option that avoids the grammar tangle and removes some of the weird sensibility snafus of the choices you proffered:

I apologize to those of you I offend.

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

I would choose to say something like the following if I were in your position:

I'm aware what I'm about to say offends some people. My intent is not to offend.

However, if you insist on the word choice, the following sentence is one option that avoids the grammar tangle and removes some of the weird sensibility snafus of the choices you proffered:

I apologize to those of you I offend.

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

add a comment |

up vote
1
down vote

I would choose to say something like the following if I were in your position:

I'm aware what I'm about to say offends some people. My intent is not to offend.

However, if you insist on the word choice, the following sentence is one option that avoids the grammar tangle and removes some of the weird sensibility snafus of the choices you proffered:

I apologize to those of you I offend.

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

I would choose to say something like the following if I were in your position:

I'm aware what I'm about to say offends some people. My intent is not to offend.

However, if you insist on the word choice, the following sentence is one option that avoids the grammar tangle and removes some of the weird sensibility snafus of the choices you proffered:

I apologize to those of you I offend.

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

edited Nov 19 at 18:49

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

answered Nov 19 at 2:58

Kay V

36025

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

add a comment |

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it.
– user324837
Nov 19 at 5:32

add a comment |

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