I don't see much of a difference between the 'sorrys' you're talking about. I think it's that, rather than a sorry as an apology to express genuine regret, you see this as a insincere apology to head off criticism? It makes me wonder what your response would be to the same question Alexa? Perhaps your OH just sees his response as conversation, or is apologising for not getting the 2 items you obviously wanted? When he's done all the shopping, and you see that there's only one item and query it with him, maybe he thinks you're not as easygoing as you do. This must be one of those things that pushes your buttons. With me it's grammar but only where other people are concerned, I'm much too old to be checking grammar all the time.