In my opening speech, is it right if I say
I apologize to whom it may offend"
or
"I apologize to whom I may offend"
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2How badly do you want to offend them?– Hot LicksCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 2:48
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Apologize to everyone or no one.– JimCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 2:49
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1Your speech may offend, thereby you offend. Both sentences are correct and will work. I'm editing the question for a bit of clarity.– KrisCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 7:56
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1'I apologise if I offend anyone.'– Kate BuntingCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 10:04
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2"Who(m)ever it may offend would be better, since it means "anyone who(m)".– BillJCommented Nov 19, 2018 at 13:38
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1 Answer
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.
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Thank you very very much for advising me. This help me a lot. I appreciate it. Commented Nov 19, 2018 at 5:32