Apologizing


in everyday English

sorry/I’m sorry
the usual word to use when apologizing to someone:
Sorry I’m late - the traffic was really bad. | I’m really sorry about all the things I said. | We’re deeply sorry (=very sorry) for what happened. | Sorry to bother you - can I ask you about something?

warning When saying that you are very sorry, you often say that you are so sorry: I’m so sorry about the delay. | We’re so sorry we couldn’t be at the meeting.


excuse me/pardon me
used when you have accidentally touched or pushed someone, or made a noise such as sneezing or yawning. Also used when interrupting someone, when you want someone to repeat something, or when you have made a small embarrassing mistake:
Excuse me! I didn’t mean to stand on your foot. | He yawned and said ‘Pardon me! It’s been a long day!’ | Excuse me - may we come in? | Pardon me, I didn’t catch your name. | Excuse me, I meant to say 50, not 15.

warning Excuse me and pardon me are more common in American English than in British English. When British people accidentally touch or push someone, or make a small embarrassing mistake, they usually say sorry.


I beg your pardon
used when you have made a small mistake. Also used when you have not heard what someone said, and you want them to repeat it:
‘That’s my chair.’ ‘Oh, I do beg your pardon.’ | ‘Her name is Fumie.’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘F-U-M-I-E.’

warning I beg your pardon sounds a little more formal than I’m sorry or excuse me


forgive me
used when saying that you feel sorry about something, especially when you have said or done something that might upset, annoy, or offend someone:
Forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. | Forgive me for saying this, but you don’t look very well.

warning Forgive me sounds very polite.


I owe you an apology
used when you have done something that you later find out to be wrong or unfair – a slightly formal expression:
I owe you an apology for not believing you. | I think you owe him some kind of apology - you shouldn’t have spoken to him in the way that you did.


I feel bad/terrible/awful about sth
used when telling someone that you regret something and feel sorry about it:
I feel terrible now about what I said. | I feel bad that I lied to my parents.


in formal English

I apologize/we would like to apologize
used when apologizing in a formal way when you have done something that you regret, for example when you have offended someone. Also used in formal announcements, notices, and letters from companies and organizations:
I apologize for my behaviour yesterday. | The airline would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the flight. | Do you find that suggestion offensive? If so, I apologize.

warningYou apologize to someone for something you have done.


please accept my/our apologies for sth
used when apologizing for something, especially in formal written English:
Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your email. | First of all, please accept my apologies for any confusion about the dates of the conference.


I/we regret sth
used when telling someone about something that you apologize for, or that the other person may feel disappointed about, especially in formal written English:
I regret that I will be unable to join you at the meeting. | We regret that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. | The ‘Evening Post’ has since removed the story from its website, and we regret the error.


replying to an apology

don’t worry/that’s OK/that’s all right
used when accepting someone’s apology in everyday spoken English:
‘Sorry, I didn’t realize that you were having dinner.’ ‘That’s perfectly OK - feel free to join us.’ | ‘I feel really bad about all the mess.’ ‘Don’t worry. I can always clear it up later.’


it doesn’t matter/it’s not a problem/no problem also no worries BrE informal
used when telling someone that something is not important:
‘Sorry we’re late.’ ‘It doesn’t matter - we’ve only just started.’ | ‘I’ve forgotten to bring any money with me I’m really sorry.’ ‘It’s not a problem. I can lend you some.’


it’s no big deal/it’s not the end of the world/these things happen
used when telling someone that something is not serious and they should not feel worried about it:
‘I’m so sorry about the vase.’ ‘It’s not the end of the world - we can always get another one.’ | ‘I wish we hadn’t argued.’ ‘That’s all right. These things happen.’


forget it
used when accepting someone’s apology and quickly telling them not to worry, in a friendly way. Also used when you still feel annoyed and do not want to talk to the other person, or accept their apology:
‘Sorry I was so angry with you the other day.’ ‘Forget it - you had every right to be annoyed.’ | ‘Sorry if I made you look stupid.’ ‘Just forget it, will you!’


apology accepted
used when accepting someone’s apology. This phrase sounds rather formal and not very friendly, and is often used when you still feel a little annoyed:
‘I’m sorry I’m late for class.’ ‘Apology accepted - but make sure that it doesn’t happen again.’