What is the difference between すみませんが and すみません?


I'm still a beginner with japanese.

Here is the example that I foud: すみませんが、さとうをとってください

I'm not completely sure about the meaning of が in this sentence, since the
teacher told me you can both use it or not. What is it for?




「が」 simply means "but".

> 「すみません **が** 、さとうをとってください。」 =
>
> "Excuse me, _**but**_ please pass me the sugar."

You can also make the same request without using 「が」 by saying:

> 「すみません。さとうをとってください。」 =
>
> "Excuse me. Please pass me the sugar."

The difference between the two is almost too subtle to mention. It just flows
a little better with 「が」IMHO.




「が」 simply means "but".

> 「すみません **が** 、さとうをとってください。」 =
>
> "Excuse me, _**but**_ please pass me the sugar."

You can also make the same request without using 「が」 by saying:

> 「すみません。さとうをとってください。」 =
>
> "Excuse me. Please pass me the sugar."

The difference between the two is almost too subtle to mention. It just flows
a little better with 「が」IMHO.

