Apologizing
To
apologize is to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that
has caused him inconvenience or unhappiness:
Examples:
I must apologize to Isabel for my late arrival.
I'd like to apologize for my touble
making.
Trains may be subject to delay on the northern line. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Here are some expressions you can
use to make and respond to apologies
Making apologies:
v
I do apologize for...
v
I must apologize for...
v
I apologize for...
v
I'd like to apologize for...
v
I am so sorry for...
v
I shouldn't have...
v
It's all my fault.
v
I'm ashamed of...
v
Please, forgive me for...
v
Excuse me for ...
v
I'm terribly sorry for...
v
Pardon me for this...
v
Please, forgive me for my....
v
Please, accept my apologies for...
Accepting apologies:
v
That's all right.
v
Never mind.
v
Don't apologize.
v
It doesn't matter.
v
Don't worry about it.
v
Don't mention it.
v
That's OK.
v
I quite understand.
v
You couldn't help it.
v
Forget about it.
v
Don't worry about it.
v
No harm done.
Remember:
"I'd like to apologize" is the short form of "I would
like to apologize"
EXERCISE
1. Match the following
apologies with the appropriate response.
Expressing Apology |
|
Accepting apology |
|
a)
That's quite all right.
Yesterday you were really in a hysterical state! |
|
|
b)
Don’t worry about that. |
|
|
c)
No problem. I won't need it
until next semester. |
|
|
d)
It doesn't matter. Next time
try to make sure there are no spelling mistakes. |
|
|
e)
Never mind. I’ll try to find
another one. |
|
|
f)
Don't worry about it. All my
friends came. It was a fantastic ceremony! |
|
|
g)
That's OK! I think there is another bottle in
the refrigerator. |
|
|
h)
That's all right. In fact, the
bus is very crowded |
|
|
i)
No harm done. I have got
another new DVD. |
2. Fill
in the blank with the appropriate words to make an apology.