your indulgence?

[thomas615]

Hello Teacher, I often heard this sentence when I watched the TV. What does this mean?

I beg your indulgence.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello Teacher, I often heard this sentence when I watched the TV. What does this mean?

I beg your indulgence.

I am surprised that you "often heard this sentence". It depends on context, but it might mean "I ask for your understanding".

 

[5jj]

It sounds very old-fashioned to me. I have been known to utter a few outdated expressions, but I don't think I have ever used that.

 

[Amigos4]

Hello Teacher, I often heard this sentence when I watched the TV. What does this mean?

I beg your indulgence.

The sentence is perfectly acceptable and will be recognized in AmE.

 

[5jj]

The sentence is perfectly acceptable and will be recognized in AmE.

How formal is it?

 

[Amigos4]

How formal is it?

It is not formal at all! If you are at a cocktail party and someone is talking about Einstein's Theory of Relativity and you don't have any idea about what they are talking about you could say: "I beg your indulgence; I am a country boy from Alabama and I don't have a clue about what you are talking about! Could you explain the theory in words I can understand?"

 

[SoothingDave]

The sentence is perfectly acceptable and will be recognized in AmE.

But not very common.

 

[English Tutor Helen]

This may not be formal in AmE but would be considered very formal and uncommon in UK English!

In using this, you could be asking someone very important to be kind or generous to you.

 

[Tullia]

I've heard it used in legal contexts - "I beg the indulgence of the court" or "I beg your indulgence your Honour" (when addressing the judge) but rarely (never?) in conversational use so I'd back up those saying that in BrE it's considered very formal.