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The most important words and phrases for apologising in emails and letters with a business English focus. Phrases using 'sorry', 'apologise' (apologize), 'apologies', and 'regret', which help you say sorry in informal, neutral and formal writing. Lots of grammar, vocabulary tips and examples given.
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Email Writing:Apologising
Phrases
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Key Words
•Sorry (Adj)
•Apologise (V) apologies (plural noun)
•Regret (V) formal
informal
Key Words
•Sorry (Adj)
•Apologise (V) apologies (plural noun)
•Regret (V) formal
informal
oops!
oops!
Sorry about/for sth (something)
Make stronger with very.
I’m very sorry...
Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
Sorry for + V+ing
Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
Sorry for + V+ing
Sorry about/for + noun
Sorry about/for sth
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I am sorry (that) I missed our meeting last Thursday.
Sorry for + V+ing
Sorry about/for + noun
Sorry + (that) clause (Subj + Verb)
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I'm sorry I missed our meeting last Thursday.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking
• I’m sorry for taking so long to get back to you.
• I’m sorry about/for the delay.
• I'm sorry I missed our meeting last Thursday.
• I am very sorry that I missed our meeting last Thursday.
contractions - I’m
Phrasal verbs - get back to you (contact you)
Informal - Neutral
This example is more neutral to semi-formal. There are no contractions or phrasal verbs
and the optional ‘that’ is written.
informal
neutral
informal writing is more like speaking
I/we apologise for + sth
Make stronger with sincerely.
apologize (US spelling)
I/we apologise for + sth
We sincerely apologise ...
Make stronger with sincerely.
apologize (US spelling)
I/we apologise for + sth• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal
I/we apologise for + sth• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal
I/we apologise for + sth• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
• I apologise for missing the meeting.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal
I/we apologise for + sth• I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
• I apologise for missing the meeting.
• We sincerely apologise for the poor standard of service you received.
I apologise for + noun/V+ingI apologise for + noun/V+ing
Neutral - Formal
Please accept my/our apologies for...Using the plural noun apologies.
Please accept my/our apologies for...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.
Please accept my/our apologies for...
Please accept my sincere apologies...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.
Please accept my/our apologies for...
Please accept my sincere apologies...
Make stronger with sincere/sincerest.
Using the plural noun apologies.
Please accept my sincerest apologies...
Please accept my/our apologies for...
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase
Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase
Please accept my/our apologies for...
• Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
• Please accept my apologies for the delay in shipping your order.
Neutral - Formal
apologies for + noun
‘inconvenience caused’ is a common phrase
I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much
I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much
I deeply regret
I/We regret...
I sincerely regret
Make stronger with sincerely/deeply/very much
I deeply regret
I very much regret
• We regret the inconvenience caused by our computer error.
Formal
• We regret the inconvenience caused by our computer error.
• We very much regret the error / the misunderstanding / the delay...
Formal
• We regret the inconvenience caused by our computer error.
• We very much regret the error / the misunderstanding / the delay...
• We regret that the price information sent to you was incorrect.
+ noun
Formal
Here ‘we’ means ‘the company’.+ that + clause (S + V)
Summary• I am sorry for/about/(that)... Informal - Neutral
Summary• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...Neutral - Formal
Informal - Neutral
Summary• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...
• I/We regret ...
Neutral - FormalInformal - Neutral
Formal
Summary• I am sorry for/about/(that)...
• I/we apologise for...
• Please accept my/our apologies for...
• I/We regret ...
Neutral - FormalInformal - Neutral
Formalsincere
error/mistake
misunderstanding
delay
any inconvenience caused
oversight
the inconvenience
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Further Viewing: How to Write a Formal Business Email
How to Write an Informal Business EmailThe Grammar of Business English Emails
Formal and Informal Business Request EmailsEmail Writing: Referring to Attachments
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