How to Apologise Politely: Useful Phrases and Mistakes to Avoid
| Situation | Polite Apology Example | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Late for class | I’m sorry I’m late. It won’t happen again. | Spoken (School) |
| Sent a wrong email | Please accept my apologies for sending the wrong file. | Written (Email) |
| Hurt a friend’s feelings | I apologise if I upset you. That was not my intention. | Spoken/Written |
What Does It Mean to Apologise in English?
To apologise in English means to express regret for your words or actions that may have hurt, upset, or inconvenienced someone. Proper apologies build trust, fix misunderstandings, and are important for exams, formal letters, and daily talks. Mastery of this skill improves your confidence in English conversations.
The Importance of Apologising
Apologising helps people reconnect and show respect after a mistake. In exams, a well-structured apology letter or dialogue can score high grades. In daily life, apologies are essential for healthy relationships at school, work, or home.
- Shows responsibility and maturity
- Restores trust quickly
- Avoids bigger misunderstandings
- Needed for formal English writing and spoken exams
When Should You Apologise?
Knowing when to apologise is important. You should apologise when:
- You make a mistake or break a promise
- You arrive late or miss an appointment
- You accidentally hurt someone’s feelings
- You interrupt, misunderstand, or miscommunicate
- You break, lose, or damage something belonging to others
How to Apologise in English: Step by Step
How to apologise in English: 1. Admit your mistake. 2. Express genuine regret. 3. Offer to make things right. 4. Promise to avoid repeating it. Use polite phrases for formal or informal situations.
- Acknowledge what you did wrong ("I’m sorry I forgot…")
- Express your feelings ("I feel terrible about it.")
- Offer a solution or amends ("Let me fix it/replace it/try again.")
- Give assurance ("It won’t happen again.")
Polite Phrases and Example Sentences for Apologising
| Type | Phrase | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | I’m really sorry. | Talking to friends/family |
| Formal | Please accept my sincere apologies. | Letters, emails, or professional talks |
| Simple | I apologise for my mistake. | Spoken or written |
| Indirect | I didn’t mean to upset you. | If you are unsure about the hurt |
| Offering to fix | Let me make it right. | When you want to repair the issue |
Apologising in Writing: Letters and Emails
For exams or real life, use a clear format in written apologies. Always start with a polite phrase, briefly explain your mistake, accept responsibility, and offer to correct it. Close by thanking the reader and giving assurance.
- Opening line: "I apologise for..." or "I am writing to say sorry for..."
- Reason: "I missed the deadline because..."
- Offer/assurance: "I will submit it by tomorrow."
- Closing: "Thank you for your understanding."
For more, visit Apology Letter for a Mistake at Work or Letter Writing for detailed formats.
Common Mistakes When Apologising (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid these common mistakes to make your apology meaningful:
- Using excuses instead of admitting ("But it’s not my fault!")
- Making the apology about you, not the other person’s feelings
- Being vague ("Sorry for whatever happened.")
- Repeating the mistake after apologising
Practice: Turn Situations into Apologies
- Situation: You spilled water on your friend’s notes.
Apology: “I’m sorry I spilled water on your notes. Can I help you rewrite them?” - Situation: You interrupted during a meeting.
Apology: “Please excuse me for interrupting. It was not polite.” - Situation: You forgot your homework.
Apology: “I apologise for forgetting my homework. I will submit it as soon as possible.”
Where to Learn More about Apologies
- Dialogue Writing
- Message Writing
- Formal Letter
- Sentence Starters: Meaning and Examples
- Writing for Kids
- Interjection
Page Summary
Saying sorry in English correctly is a valuable skill for school, exams, and daily life. Remember: apologise by admitting your mistake, expressing regret, offering to make things right, and giving assurance. At Vedantu, we make English topics simple, so you can speak and write with confidence in any situation.
FAQs on How to Apologise in English: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. What is the proper way to apologise in English?
A proper apology in English involves expressing sincere regret and taking responsibility for your actions. It's about more than just saying 'sorry'.
- Acknowledge your mistake or wrongdoing.
- Express regret using appropriate phrases like "I'm so sorry," "I deeply regret," or "I sincerely apologize."
- Take responsibility; avoid making excuses.
- Offer amends, if possible. What can you do to fix the situation?
- Ensure it won't happen again.
2. How do you write an apology letter or email?
Writing a formal apology requires a structured approach. Start with a sincere expression of regret, take responsibility, and offer solutions where possible.
- Use a formal salutation (e.g., "Dear [Name]").
- Clearly state what you are apologizing for.
- Express regret using formal language (e.g., "I sincerely apologize for...").
- Avoid making excuses.
- Offer a solution or plan to rectify the situation.
- Close with a professional closing (e.g., "Sincerely," "Respectfully,").
3. What are 5 ways to apologise politely?
Polite apologies go beyond a simple 'sorry'. They show understanding and a willingness to make amends.
- "I'm so sorry for my mistake."
- "I deeply regret causing you any inconvenience."
- "Please accept my sincerest apologies."
- "I apologize for any misunderstanding."
- "I'm truly sorry; I'll do my best to prevent this from happening again."
4. What are examples of simple apology sentences?
Simple apologies convey regret effectively without being overly complex. Focus on sincerity.
- "I'm sorry."
- "I apologize."
- "I regret what happened."
- "Please forgive me."
- "I'm sorry for my actions."
5. How can I apologise without using the word "sorry"?
While "sorry" is common, other phrases effectively convey regret. Focus on the action and your remorse.
- "I understand that my actions caused you harm, and I take full responsibility."
- "I regret my behaviour and want to make things right."
- "I take full ownership of my mistake and will strive to do better."
- "I deeply regret the impact of my actions on you."
- "Please know that I am truly remorseful for what happened."
6. Is there a difference between a formal and informal apology?
Yes, the level of formality changes based on the context and relationship. Formal apologies use more polite and professional language.
- Formal: "I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." (Used for professional contexts or serious situations)
- Informal: "Oops, sorry about that!" (Used among close friends or family)
7. What is the proper way to apologize to someone you hurt deeply?
Apologizing for deeply hurting someone requires empathy, sincerity, and a commitment to repair the damage.
- Acknowledge the pain you caused.
- Express genuine remorse.
- Take responsibility for your actions, avoiding justifications.
- Offer a sincere apology; use the person's name.
- Ask how you can make amends; listen to their response.
- Give them space if needed; avoid pressuring them for immediate forgiveness.
8. How do you apologize to someone you hurt?
A sincere apology focuses on acknowledging the hurt caused and taking responsibility for your actions.
- Acknowledge their feelings and validate their hurt.
- Express remorse and regret for your actions.
- Take ownership of your mistake, avoiding blaming others.
- Offer to make amends or repair the damage you've caused.
- Ensure you are sincere and authentic in your apology.
9. How do you apologize in text?
Text apologies should be sincere, concise, and appropriate for the relationship. Avoid overly casual language for serious situations.
- Keep it brief and to the point.
- Use appropriate language for the recipient.
- Clearly state your apology.
- Avoid using sarcasm or humor.
- Be mindful of tone; emojis can be helpful but use cautiously.
10. How do you apologize to someone you love?
Apologizing to a loved one requires vulnerability and a sincere effort to reconnect. Show empathy and understanding.
- Acknowledge their feelings.
- Express deep regret and remorse.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- Show you understand the impact of your actions.
- Focus on rebuilding trust and strengthening the relationship.
